This two words ‘gaunt’ and ‘gauntlet’ sound similar and have a common root. But their meanings are unrelated. Can it be that gauntlet is somehow derived from gaunt? If yes, then I want to know etymology.
Answer
Gauntlet: protective gloves used as a form of armour: late Middle English: from Old French gantelet, diminutive of gant ‘glove’, of Germanic origin.
Gaunt: bony and emaciated in appearance: 15th Century: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; compare Norwegian dialect gand tall lean person.
I don’t think they share a common root.
Attribution
Source : Link , Question Author : kelin , Answer Author : Michael Harvey