Gauntlet

[Fr. gantelet, from gant, a glove.] A covering for the hand with metallic plates on the hinder part, worn in former times as part of the armor of defence. It was (Fig. 1132) a large leather glove cased with plates of polished iron, along the backs of the fingers and hands, so that when the hand was clenched either on battle-axe or sword, each piece was so hinged and riveted, that, like the shell of a lobster, the member beneath was defended at all points from a ault or danger. It was in former times the custom, where one wished satisfaction of an enemy, to throw down before him the glove, gantelet, and if he (the adversary) took it up, that was equivalent to the acceptance of a challenge in modern times. -A long glove that covers the wrist; as, a hunting gauntlet. -A kind of punishment for soldiers. See GANTLET. Gauntleted, a. Wearing a gauntlet. IMG:content-0337.png:[blocks in formation] Gauger, ( gafer ,) n. An officer whose busine is to ascertain the contents of casks; a surveying officer under the board of excise. Gauging, (gāj'ing,) n. (Com.) The method of determining by actual measurement the number of gallons contained in ve els intended to hold goods, - chiefly casks, barrels, vats, . The principal use of G. is in the collection of the revenue, in which it is nece ary to measure the bulk of ve els, without disturbing their contents. The principles of gauging are those which are furnished in geometry for the measurement of solids. As, however, the men who are engaged either in commerce or by the excise for the purpose of G. are not likely, in general, to be acquainted with the principles upon which the art depends, a set of technical rules and appropriate instruments have been contrived, 10000 G Fig. 1132. GAUNTLETS.