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take up the gauntlet

 - 2 dictionary results

gaunt⋅let

1  [gawnt-lit, gahnt-]
Use take up the gauntlet in a Sentence
–noun
1. a medieval glove, as of mail or plate, worn by a knight in armor to protect the hand.
2. a glove with an extended cuff for the wrist.
3. the cuff itself.
—Idioms
4. take up the gauntlet,
a. to accept a challenge to fight: He was always willing to take up the gauntlet for a good cause.
b. to show one's defiance.
Also, take up the glove.
5. throw down the gauntlet,
a. to challenge.
b. to defy.
Also, throw down the glove.
Origin:
1375–1425; late ME gantelet < MF, dim. of gant glove < Gmc *want-; cf. ON vǫttr

Related forms:
gaunt⋅let⋅ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

gauntlet  (1)
"glove," c.1420, from M.Fr. gantelet, semi-dim. of gant "glove," from Frank. *want, from P.Gmc. *wantuz "glove" (cf. M.Du. want "mitten," O.N. vöttr "glove," Dan. vante "mitten").
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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