gauntlet
2 synonyms for gauntlet, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A heavy protective glove, historically part of a suit of armour, traditionally thrown down as a challenge to fight (as in "throw down the gauntlet").
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
gantlet
metal glove
How to use gauntlet
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
throw down the gauntlet
run the gauntlet
pick up the gauntlet
Etymology
From Old French gantelet, a diminutive of gant ("glove"), tracing back to a Frankish word for glove or mitten.
Full origin of gauntlet →Frequently asked questions
What does “gauntlet” mean?
The word “gauntlet” means a heavy protective glove, historically part of a suit of armour, traditionally thrown down as a challenge to fight (as in "throw down the gauntlet"). In plain terms, either an armoured glove, or — more commonly today — a tough ordeal or gauntlet of criticism/obstacles you have to push through.
How do you pronounce “gauntlet”?
“Gauntlet” is pronounced GAWNT-luht (/ˈɡɔːnt.lət/ in IPA).
How do you use “gauntlet” in a sentence?
Here is “gauntlet” used in a sentence: “The knight threw down his gauntlet to challenge his rival.”
What part of speech is “gauntlet”?
“Gauntlet” is a noun.
Where does the word “gauntlet” come from?
The word “gauntlet” comes from Old French. From Old French gantelet, a diminutive of gant ("glove"), tracing back to a Frankish word for glove or mitten.
Is “gauntlet” a common word?
“Gauntlet” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “gauntlet” have?
“Gauntlet” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a heavy protective glove, historically part of a suit of armour, traditionally thrown down as a challenge to fight (as in "throw down the gauntlet").
