gantlet

Definition

A form of punishment or ordeal in which a person runs between two lines of people who strike them as they pass; also spelled 'gauntlet,' it can refer to any difficult or dangerous experience one must endure. Not to be confused with 'gauntlet' meaning a glove.

Example Usage

The rookie had to run the gantlet of hazing rituals before being accepted by the team.

Origin

From Swedish 'gatlopp,' literally 'lane run' (gata = lane, lopp = run), brought into English via Swedish military tradition.

Fun Fact

The spelling 'gantlet' is the original form for this punishment, while 'gauntlet' (meaning glove) has a different origin, though both spellings are now used interchangeably for the punishment sense.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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