(gônt′lit, gant′-) noun
1. A punishment wherein the victim runs between two rows of men who strike him with clubs or switches as he passes.
2. A series of risks or unpleasant events.
3. A narrowing of two lines of railway track almost into the space of one, as on a bridge or in a tunnel, without breaking the continuity of either track.
—to run the gantlet To be exposed to a series of hostile attacks or unpleasant incidents.
—v.t. To form a gantlet by running together (railway tracks). Also spelled gauntlet. [Earlier gantlope, alter. of Sw. gatlopp a running down a lane]

(gônt′lit, gant′-)
See GAUNTLET¹.