[gawnt-lit, gahnt-] 
| 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. |
| 4. | take up the gauntlet,
|
| 5. | throw down the gauntlet,
|
throw down the gauntlet
Declare or issue a challenge, as in The senator threw down the gauntlet on the abortion issue. This expression alludes to the medieval practice of a knight throwing down his gauntlet, or metal glove, as a challenge to combat. Its figurative use dates from the second half of the 1700s, as does the less frequently heard take up the gauntlet, for accepting a challenge.