gauntlet 1
— gauntleted , adj.
/gawnt"lit, gahnt"-/ , n.
1. a medieval glove, as of mail or plate, worn by a knight in armor to protect the hand.
2. a glove with an extended cuff for the wrist.
3. the cuff itself.
4. take up the gauntlet ,
a. to accept a challenge to fight: He was always willing to take up the gauntlet for a good cause.
b. to show one's defiance. Also, take up the glove .
5. throw down the gauntlet ,
a. to challenge.
b. to defy.
Also, throw down the glove .
[ 1375-1425; late ME gantelet gant glove want-; cf. ON vottr ]
gauntlet 2
/gawnt"lit, gahnt"-/ , n.
1. a former punishment, chiefly military, in which the offender was made to run between two rows of men who struck at him with switches or weapons as he passed.
2. the two rows of men administering this punishment.
3. an attack from two or all sides.
4. trying conditions; an ordeal.
5. gantlet 1 (def. 1).
6. run the gauntlet , to suffer severe criticism or tribulation.
v.t.
7. gantlet 1 (def. 3).
Also, gantlet (for defs. 1, 2, 4).
[ 1670-80; alter. of GANTLOPE ]