Gäunt'let, n.

n. [Fr. gantelet, from gant, glove, Pr. guan, Sp. guante, It. guanto, L. Lat. wantus, D. want, Sw. & Dan. vante, Icel. vöttr, for vantr.]

1. A large glove of mail; a covering for the hand with plates of metal on the back, worn as part of the defensive armor in ancient times. Shak.
2. A long glove, covering the wrist; as, a riding-gauntlet.
3. A kind of military punishment; the gantlet. See GANTLET.

To take up the gauntlet, to accept a challenge. — To throw down the gauntlet, to offer or send a challenge.