Gantlet (Noun)
Meaning 1
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.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
A glove of armored leather; protects the hand.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 3
To offer or accept a challenge; "threw down the gauntlet"; "took up the gauntlet".
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The politician threw down the gauntlet to her opponent, challenging him to a televised debate.
- The company's CEO took up the gauntlet and accepted the rival firm's offer to a public competition.
- The activist threw down the gauntlet to the government, demanding immediate action on the environmental issue.
- The young entrepreneur took up the gauntlet and launched a startup to compete with the industry giant.
- The union leader threw down the gauntlet to the management, threatening a strike if their demands were not met.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 4
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.
Classification
Nouns denoting acts or actions.
Examples
- As a disciplinary measure, the military captain sentenced the rebellious soldier to run the gantlet in front of his peers.
- In medieval times, a convicted thief would often be forced to endure a public gantlet, humiliated and pummeled by angry onlookers.
- During his grueling hazing, the college freshman had to face the brutal tradition of the fraternity gantlet, battered and bruised from the gauntlet.
- To deter any potential rule-breakers, the ship's captain imposed the ancient nautical penalty of running the gantlet for those found disobeying orders.
- At the order of the angry governor, the band of pirates were sentenced to the terrible ordeal of a three-hour gantlet through the furious colonists, most failing to survive.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 5
A glove with long sleeve.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The knight put on his gantlet to protect his hand and forearm from the opponent's sword.
- The medieval warrior's gantlet was made of leather and metal plates, providing excellent protection in battle.
- The blacksmith carefully crafted a gantlet for the king, adorning it with intricate designs and symbols.
- The gantlet was a crucial part of the knight's armor, allowing him to wield his sword with confidence.
- The museum exhibit featured a beautifully preserved gantlet from the 14th century, showcasing the craftsmanship of the time.