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Gavel

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10 dictionary results for: Gavel

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

gav·el1

[gav-uh

l] Pronunciation Key

–noun

1.	a small mallet used by the presiding officer of a meeting, a judge, etc., usually to signal for attention or order.

2.	a similar mallet used by an auctioneer to indicate acceptance of the final bid.

3.	Masonry. kevel.

–verb (used with object)

4.	to chair (a legislative session, convention, meeting, etc.).

(of a presiding officer)

a.	to request or maintain (order at a meeting) by striking a gavel.

b.	to begin or put into effect (a legislative session, motion, etc.) by striking a gavel.

[Origin: 1795–1805, Americanism; orig. uncert.

]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

gav·el2

[gav-uh

l] Pronunciation Key

–noun

feudal rent or tribute.

[Origin: bef. 900; ME govel, OE gafol, akin to giefan to give; cf. gabelle

]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

gav·el¹ (gāv'əl) Pronunciation Key
n.

A small mallet used by a presiding officer or an auctioneer to signal for attention or order or to mark the conclusion of a transaction.
A maul used by masons in fitting stones.

tr.v. gav·eled also gav·elled, gav·el·ing also gav·el·ling, gav·els also gav·els
To bring about or compel by using a gavel: "The chairman . . . tries to gavel the demonstration to an end" (New Yorker).

[Origin unknown.]

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

gav·el² (gāv'əl) Pronunciation Key
n. Tribute or rent in ancient and medieval England.

[Middle English, from Old English gafol; see ghabh- in Indo-European roots.]

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
gavel

1805, Amer.Eng., of unknown origin, perhaps connected with Ger. dial. gaffel "brotherhood, friendly society," from M.H.G. gaffel "society, guild," related to O.E. gafol "tribute," giefan "to give." But in some sources gavel also is identified as an actual mason's tool.

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

gavel
noun
a small mallet used by a presiding officer or a judge

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Gavel

Ga"bel\, n. [F. gabelle, LL. gabella, gabulum, gablum; of uncertain origin. Cf.Gavel tribute.] (O. Eng. Law) A rent, service, tribute, custom, tax, impost, or duty; an excise. --Burrill.

He enables St. Peter to pay his gabel by the ministry of a fish. --Jer. Taylor.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Gavel

Gav"el\ (g[a^]v"[e^]l), n. A gable. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Gavel

Gav"el\, n. [OF. gavelle, F. javelle, prob. dim. from L. capulus handle, fr. capere to lay hold of, seize; or cf. W. gafael hold, grasp. Cf. Heave.] A small heap of grain, not tied up into a bundle. --Wright.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Gavel

Gav"el\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]

1. The mallet of the presiding officer in a legislative body, public assembly, court, masonic body, etc.

2. A mason's setting maul. --Knight.

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