gantlet, gauntlet

gantlet, gauntlet
   Traditionally in American English, a distinction has been observed between the two. A gantlet was a double line of people armed with blunt weapons through which a thief or other miscreant was forced to run as a form of punishment. Hence the expression "to run the gantlet." A gauntlet was a protective glove of the sort used by knights in atmor, which was flung to the ground as a way of issuing a challenge. Hence the expression "to throw down the gauntlet." Many authorities (Bernstein notably) long argued against the practice of spelling both words "gauntlet," but I cant find a dictionary that supports that position any longer and I think it is safe to say that gauntlet is the preferred spelling for the more common senses of the word in America, as it has long been in Britain. Note, however, that there is a very specific use of the term in railroading that does retain gantlet as the preferred spelling. A gantlet in this sense is a section of line where two tracks overlap without switching, to allow passage through a narrow space. Even here gauntlet is an acceptable alternative spelling.
   Finally, beware of confusing gauntlet (or gantlet) with gamut (which see).

Dictionary of troublesome word. . 2013.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • gantlet, gauntlet —    Traditionally in American English, a distinction has been observed between the two. A gantlet was a double line of people armed with blunt weapons through which a thief or other miscreant was forced to run as a form of punishment. Hence the… …   Dictionary of troublesome word

  • gantlet, gauntlet, gamut — One may run a gantlet (a former kind of military punishment). One may also run a gamut (a series of musical notes or the whole range of anything). But one may not run a gauntlet because it is a kind of glove. To take up the gauntlet ( to accept a …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • gauntlet — See gantlet. See gantlet, gauntlet, gamut …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • gantlet — See gantlet, gauntlet, gamut …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • Gauntlet track — or interlaced track (also gantlet track) is where railway tracks converge onto a single roadbed and are interlaced to pass through a narrow passage such as a cutting, bridge, or tunnel. A frog at each end allows the two tracks to overlap, and the …   Wikipedia

  • Gantlet — Gant let, n. [Gantlet is corrupted fr. gantlope; gantlope is for gatelope, Sw. gatlopp, orig., a running down a lane; gata street, lane + lopp course, career, akin to l[ o]pa to run. See {Gate} a way, and {Leap}.] A military punishment formerly… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Gauntlet — or gantlet may mean:* Gauntlet (glove), protective gloves used as a form of armour * Gauntlet (marking), the white markings on one or more of the legs of an animal such as a cat or rabbit, making them look like they have a long white glove on *… …   Wikipedia

  • gantlet —  , gauntlet  For the sense of running between two lines of aggressors (whether literally or metaphorically) the normal spelling is gantlet, though gauntlet is usually also accepted. For the idea of a glove thrown down in challenge, the invariable …   Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors

  • gantlet — gantlet1 [gônt′lit, gänt′lit, gant′lit] n. [earlier gantlope < Swed gatlopp, a running down a lane < gata, lane (akin to Ger gasse: see GAIT) + lopp, a run, akin to LEAP] 1. a) a former military punishment in which the offender had to run… …   English World dictionary

  • gauntlet — Ⅰ. gauntlet [1] ► NOUN 1) a stout glove with a long loose wrist. 2) a glove worn as part of medieval armour, made of leather with protective steel plates. ● take up (or throw down) the gauntlet Cf. ↑throw down the gauntlet …   English terms dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”