Emily Dickinson Lexicon

GANT'LET, or GAUNT'LET, n. [Fr. gantelet, from gant, a glove; It. guanto; D. want; Dan. and Sw. vante, a glove.]

A large iron glove with fingers covered with small plates, formerly worn by cavaliers, armed at all points. To throw the gantlet, is to challenge; and To take up the gantlet, is to accept the challenge.