gauntlet Definition

gauntlet¹
noun

1. historical
A metal or metal-plated glove worn by medieval soldiers.
2. A heavy protective leather glove loosely covering the wrist.

Idiom: take up the gauntlet

To accept a challenge.

Idiom: throw down the gauntlet

To make a challenge.

Etymology: 15c: from French gantelet, diminutive of gant glove; the idioms are derived from the former practice of throwing a gauntlet on the ground when issuing a challenge to a duel and picking it up when accepting such a challenge.

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gauntlet²
noun

Idiom: run the gauntlet

To expose oneself to hostile treatment or criticism.

historical
To suffer the military punishment of having to scramble along between two rows of men while receiving hard blows from them.

Etymology: 17c: altered (under the influence of gauntlet¹) from obsolete gantlope, from Swedish gatlopp passageway.