102,870
edits
Changes
From Nordan Symposia
Jump to navigationJump to searchCreated page with 'File:lighterstill.jpgright|frame ==Origin== [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Mid...'
[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:03_gauntlet_op.jpg|right|frame]]
==Origin==
[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], from Middle French ''gantelet'', diminutive of ''gant'' glove, from Old French, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch ''want'' glove, Old Norse ''vǫttr''
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/15th_century 15th Century]
==Definitions==
*1: a glove worn with medieval [[armor]] to protect the hand
*2: any of various protective gloves used especially in [[industry]]
*3: an open [[challenge]] (as to [[combat]]) —used in phrases like ''"throw down the gauntlet"''
*4: a dress glove extending above the wrist
==Description==
'''Gauntlet''' is a name for several [[different]] styles of glove, particularly those with an extended cuff covering part of the forearm. Gauntlets exist in many [[forms]], ranging from flexible [[fabric]] and leather gloves, to mail and fully articulated plate [[armour]].
Historically, ''gauntlets'' were used by [[soldiers]] and knights. It was considered an important piece of [[armour]], since the hands and arms were particularly [[vulnerable]] in hand-to-hand [[combat]]. With the rise of easily reloadable and effective [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firearm firearms], hand-to-hand combat fell into decline along with personal armor, including gauntlets.
Some medieval gauntlets had a built-in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knuckle_duster knuckle duster]. When the hand was bunched into a fist the backhand protection becomes pronounced from the fist just above the knuckles, this allowed the user to utilize the gauntlet as a [[melee]] [[weapon]] while still protecting the hand from damage when punching. However, against an armed combatant the use of this feature would have been risky so it was very unlikely that a gauntlet would have been used in this way when a more suitable weapon was within reach. But if the user had no other means to [[defend]] themselves the [[tactics]] they would have employed would be to attempt to [[surprise]] the opponent with this inconspicuous [[attack]], possibly by dodging and countering, aiming for [[exposed]] areas of flesh such as the [[face]] or weak areas of armour, such as under the arm or the groin.
A "Demi-gauntlet" (also called a "demi-gaunt" for short) is a type of plate armour gauntlet that only protects the back of the hand and the wrist; demi-gaunts are worn with gloves made from mail or padded leather. The advantages of the demi-gaunt are that it allows better dexterity and is lighter than a full gauntlet, but the disadvantage is that the fingers are not as well protected.
==Idiioms==
*''"Throw down the gauntlet"''
To "throw down the gauntlet" is to issue a [[challenge]]. A gauntlet-wearing knight would challenge a fellow knight or [[enemy]] to a duel by throwing one of his gauntlets on the ground. The opponent would pick up the gauntlet to [[accept]] the challenge. The phrase is associated particularly with the [[action]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Champion King's Champion], which officer's role was from mediaeval times to act as champion for the [[King]] at his [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronation coronation], in the unlikely event that someone challenged the new King's title to the [[throne]].
*''"Run the gauntlet"''
"Running the gauntlet" was a [[military]] punishment where a [[soldier]] or sailor had to pass between a double row of [[comrades]] armed with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Club_(weapon) cudgels]. The [[expression]] is now generally used [[metaphorically]]. Gauntlet in this [[context]] is unrelated to the "protective glove" [[meaning]], but is instead derived from the Swedish gatlopp ("street run"). Because of this [[difference]] in the derivation of the [[word]], the expression is sometimes written "running the gantlet".[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gauntlet_%28glove%29]
[[Category: History]]
[[Category: Languages and Literature]]
==Origin==
[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], from Middle French ''gantelet'', diminutive of ''gant'' glove, from Old French, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch ''want'' glove, Old Norse ''vǫttr''
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/15th_century 15th Century]
==Definitions==
*1: a glove worn with medieval [[armor]] to protect the hand
*2: any of various protective gloves used especially in [[industry]]
*3: an open [[challenge]] (as to [[combat]]) —used in phrases like ''"throw down the gauntlet"''
*4: a dress glove extending above the wrist
==Description==
'''Gauntlet''' is a name for several [[different]] styles of glove, particularly those with an extended cuff covering part of the forearm. Gauntlets exist in many [[forms]], ranging from flexible [[fabric]] and leather gloves, to mail and fully articulated plate [[armour]].
Historically, ''gauntlets'' were used by [[soldiers]] and knights. It was considered an important piece of [[armour]], since the hands and arms were particularly [[vulnerable]] in hand-to-hand [[combat]]. With the rise of easily reloadable and effective [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firearm firearms], hand-to-hand combat fell into decline along with personal armor, including gauntlets.
Some medieval gauntlets had a built-in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knuckle_duster knuckle duster]. When the hand was bunched into a fist the backhand protection becomes pronounced from the fist just above the knuckles, this allowed the user to utilize the gauntlet as a [[melee]] [[weapon]] while still protecting the hand from damage when punching. However, against an armed combatant the use of this feature would have been risky so it was very unlikely that a gauntlet would have been used in this way when a more suitable weapon was within reach. But if the user had no other means to [[defend]] themselves the [[tactics]] they would have employed would be to attempt to [[surprise]] the opponent with this inconspicuous [[attack]], possibly by dodging and countering, aiming for [[exposed]] areas of flesh such as the [[face]] or weak areas of armour, such as under the arm or the groin.
A "Demi-gauntlet" (also called a "demi-gaunt" for short) is a type of plate armour gauntlet that only protects the back of the hand and the wrist; demi-gaunts are worn with gloves made from mail or padded leather. The advantages of the demi-gaunt are that it allows better dexterity and is lighter than a full gauntlet, but the disadvantage is that the fingers are not as well protected.
==Idiioms==
*''"Throw down the gauntlet"''
To "throw down the gauntlet" is to issue a [[challenge]]. A gauntlet-wearing knight would challenge a fellow knight or [[enemy]] to a duel by throwing one of his gauntlets on the ground. The opponent would pick up the gauntlet to [[accept]] the challenge. The phrase is associated particularly with the [[action]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Champion King's Champion], which officer's role was from mediaeval times to act as champion for the [[King]] at his [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronation coronation], in the unlikely event that someone challenged the new King's title to the [[throne]].
*''"Run the gauntlet"''
"Running the gauntlet" was a [[military]] punishment where a [[soldier]] or sailor had to pass between a double row of [[comrades]] armed with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Club_(weapon) cudgels]. The [[expression]] is now generally used [[metaphorically]]. Gauntlet in this [[context]] is unrelated to the "protective glove" [[meaning]], but is instead derived from the Swedish gatlopp ("street run"). Because of this [[difference]] in the derivation of the [[word]], the expression is sometimes written "running the gantlet".[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gauntlet_%28glove%29]
[[Category: History]]
[[Category: Languages and Literature]]
