Gantlet

/ˈɡæntlət/ noun

Definition

A variant spelling of 'gauntlet,' either a protective glove worn in armor or a challenging ordeal one must endure (to 'run the gantlet').

Etymology

From 'gauntlet,' which comes from Old French 'gantelet' (little glove), derived from 'gant' (glove). The 'g' spelling represents an alternative form that was used interchangeably with 'gauntlet' historically.

Kelly Says

The phrase 'run the gantlet' originally meant running between two lines of soldiers who would hit you with sticks—it comes from a Swedish military punishment, which shows how warfare practices influenced English expressions!

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