gantlet
Noun: 1. A form of punishment or ordeal: A gantlet is a punishment where a person is forced to run between two lines of people facing each other, who strike the person as they pass. 2. A railroad track configuration: A gantlet is a section of track where two parallel tracks converge into a single, narrow space by having the inner rails cross each other, allowing trains to pass without switching tracks. 3. A protective glove: (Archaic or historical) A gantlet is a type of armored glove, typically made of leather and mail, designed to protect the hand in combat. (Note: This meaning is now more commonly spelled gauntlet).
- As a punishment:
- The captured soldier was forced to run the gantlet as a brutal form of discipline.
- In the historical reenactment, they demonstrated how prisoners were made to run the gantlet.
- In rail transport:
- The engineers designed a gantlet track to solve the space issue in the narrow tunnel.
- The train proceeded cautiously through the gantlet where the tracks converged.
- As protective armor:
- The knight's armor included a steel gantlet to protect his sword hand.
- "to run the gantlet": This is the primary idiomatic phrase. It means to endure a series of difficult challenges, criticisms, or attacks from multiple sides.
- The new policy had to run the gantlet of approval from several committees.
- As a rookie, she had to run the gantlet of hazing from the senior team members.
- Gauntlet: The more common modern spelling for the armored glove and for the idiom "throw down/take up the gauntlet" (to issue/accept a challenge). Note the spelling distinction: "run the gantlet" (punishment/ordeal) vs. "throw down the gauntlet" (challenge).
- Gantlet track: The specific term for the railroad configuration.
- For punishment/ordeal: ordeal, trial, punishment, hazing.
- For glove: armored glove, mitt, gauntlet.
The words gantlet and gauntlet are often confused. Historically, they come from different roots but have overlapped in usage. - Gantlet (from Swedish gatlopp, "lane-run") traditionally refers to the punishment of running between two lines. - Gauntlet (from Old French gantelet, a diminutive of gant, "glove") refers to the armored glove. In modern English, gauntlet is frequently used for all meanings. However, careful usage maintains the distinction, especially in historical or technical contexts (like railroading). The phrase "run the gantlet" preserves the original spelling for the ordeal.
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a form of punishment in which a person is forced to run between two lines of men facing each other and armed with clubs or whips to beat the victim
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the convergence of two parallel railroad tracks in a narrow place; the inner rails cross and run parallel and then diverge so a train remains on its own tracks at all times
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a glove with long sleeve
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a glove of armored leather; protects the hand
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to offer or accept a challenge
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threw down the gauntlet
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took up the gauntlet
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