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2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 : [ gcide ]


  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 in use, wherein the offender
     was made to run between two files of men facing one another,
     who struck him as he passed.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     To run the gantlet, to suffer the punishment of the
        gantlet; hence, to go through the ordeal of severe
        criticism or controversy, or ill-treatment at many hands.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Winthrop ran the gantlet of daily slights.
                                                    --Palfrey.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Written also, but less properly, gauntlet.
           [1913 Webster]

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) : [ web1913 ]


  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 in use, wherein the offender
     was made to run between two files of men facing one another,
     who struck him as he passed.
  
     To run the gantlet, to suffer the punishment of the
        gantlet; hence, to go through the ordeal of severe
        criticism or controversy, or ill-treatment at many hands.
  
              Winthrop ran the gantlet of daily slights.
                                                    --Palfrey.
  
     Note: Written also, but less properly, gauntlet.

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