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He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Find him and other winners in Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of American Writers. http://www.m-w.com/book/peoplace/amwrit.htm *************************************************************** The Word of the Day for January 17 is: gauntlet \GAWNT-lut or GAHNT-lut\ (noun) 1 : a protective glove *2 : an open challenge (as to combat) 3 : a dress glove extending above the wrist Example sentence: Herb threw down the gauntlet, asking his guests, "Which one of you wants to get beaten in a game of chess?" Did you know? "Gauntlet" comes from the Middle French "gantelet," the diminutive of "gant," meaning "glove." (The "gauntlet" meaning "ordeal" or "double file of armed men" is a different word of a different origin.) Ultimately, "gant" is of Germanic origin. To "throw down the gauntlet" means "to issue an open challenge." To "pick up the gauntlet" means "to accept an open challenge." These figurative phrases come from the conventions of medieval combat. The gauntlet was the glove of a suit of armor. To challenge someone to combat, a knight would throw his glove at another knight's feet. The second knight would take it up if he intended to accept the challenge, in which case a jousting match might ensue. *Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence. ---------------- Brought to you by Merriam-Webster, Inc. http://www.Merriam-Webster.com ---------------- Subscribe or unsubscribe to Word of the Day via the Web at: http://www.Merriam-Webster.com/service/subinst.htm To join the list via e-mail, send a blank e-mail to: mw-wod-subscribe-request@listserv.webster.m-w.com To leave the list via e-mail, send a blank e-mail to: mw-wod-signoff-request@listserv.webster.m-w.com Questions about your subscription? Write to: mw-wod-request@listserv.webster.m-w.com Questions or comments about the Word of the Day? Write to: word@Merriam-Webster.com © 2002 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated
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