gantlet
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gantlet
a railroad track construction used in narrow places; an ordeal
Not to be confused with:
gauntlet – a glove; a challenge: take up the gauntlet
Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree
gant·let 1
(gônt′lĭt, gänt′-)n.
A section of double railroad tracks formed by the temporary convergence of two otherwise parallel tracks in such a way that each set remains independent while traversing the same ground, affording passage at a narrow place without need of switching.
tr.v. gant·let·ed, gant·let·ing, gant·lets
To converge (railroad tracks) to form a gantlet.
[Variant of gauntlet.]
gant·let 2
(gônt′lĭt, gänt′-)n.
Variant of gauntlet1.
gant·let 3
(gônt′lĭt, gänt′-)n.
Variant of gauntlet2.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
gantlet
(ˈɡæntlɪt; ˈɡɔːnt-)n
1. (Railways) a section of a railway where two tracks overlap
2. (Military) US a variant spelling of gauntlet2
3. (Clothing & Fashion) US a variant spelling of gauntlet2
[C17 gantlope (modern spelling influenced by gauntlet1), from Swedish gatlopp, literally: passageway, from gata way (related to gate3) + lop course]
gantlet
(ˈɡæntlɪt; ˈɡɔːnt-)n
(Arms & Armour (excluding Firearms)) a variant of gauntlet1
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
gaunt•let1
(ˈgɔnt lɪt, ˈgɑnt-)n.
1. a mailed glove worn with a suit of armor to protect the hand.
2. a glove with an extended cuff.
3. the cuff itself.
Idioms: 1. take up the gauntlet, to accept a challenge to fight.
2. throw down the gauntlet, to challenge someone to fight.
[1375–1425; late Middle English gantelet < Middle French, diminutive of gant glove < Germanic *want-; compare Old Norse vǫttr]
gaunt′let•ed, adj.
gaunt•let2
(ˈgɔnt lɪt, ˈgɑnt-)n.
1. a former punishment, chiefly military, in which the offender was made to run between two rows of men who struck at him with switches or weapons as he passed.
2. the two rows of men administering this punishment.
3. an attack from two or all sides.
4. a severe test; ordeal.
Idioms: run the gauntlet, to suffer severe criticism or tribulation.
Also, gantlet (for defs. 1, 2, 4). [1670–80; alter. of gantlope]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Noun | 1. |  gantlet - to offer or accept a challenge; "threw down the gauntlet"; "took up the gauntlet"challenge - a call to engage in a contest or fight |
| 2. |  gantlet - a glove of armored leather; protects the handbody armor, body armour, cataphract, coat of mail, suit of armor, suit of armour - armor that protects the wearer's whole body glove - handwear: covers the hand and wrist | |
| 3. | gantlet - a glove with long sleeve glove - handwear: covers the hand and wrist | |
| 4. | gantlet - 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 railroad track, railway, railroad - a line of track providing a runway for wheels; "he walked along the railroad track" | |
| 5. | gantlet - 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 corporal punishment - the infliction of physical injury on someone convicted of committing a crime |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005