or GAUNTLET, a large kind of glove made of iron, and the fingers covered with small plates. It was formerly worn by the cavaliers, when armed at all points. The word is derived of the French gantlet; and that from gand, or gant, "glove."

The caque and gauntlets were always borne in the ancient marches in ceremony. Gauntlets were not introduced till about the 13th century.

The gauntlet was frequently thrown like the glove, by way of challenge.