A long glove extending up the forearm, or a series of difficult or unpleasant things to endure.
From Old French 'gantelet,' diminutive of 'gant' (glove). Originally a metal-reinforced glove worn by knights; the metaphorical sense (running between attackers) comes from the military practice.
When we say 'run the gauntlet,' we're imagining medieval soldiers running between lines of armed enemies—but the phrase originally came from Swedish military punishment where soldiers literally struck an escaping prisoner.
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