gauntlet

  1. Noun.  Protective armor for the hands.
  2. Noun.  (archaic) Two parallel rows of attackers who strike at a criminal as punishment.
  3. Noun.  Simultaneous attack from two or more sides.
  4. Noun.  (figuratively) Any challenging, difficult, or painful ordeal, often one performed for atonement or punishment.
  5. Noun.  (rail) A temporary convergence of two parallel railroad tracks allowing passage through a narrow opening in each direction without switching.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.