First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1gavel
noun gav·el \ˈga-vəl\
Definition of GAVEL
: rent or tribute in medieval England
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Origin of GAVEL
Middle English, from Old English gafol; akin to Old English giefan to give
2gavel
noun
Definition of GAVEL
: a mallet used (as by a presiding officer or auctioneer) for commanding attention or confirming an action (as a vote or sale)
Origin of GAVEL
origin unknown
First Known Use: 1835
3gavel
verb
gaveled or gavelledgavel·ing or gavel·ling \ˈgav-liŋ, ˈga-və-\
Definition of GAVEL
transitive verb
: to bring or force by use of a gavel <gaveled the audience to silence>
First Known Use of GAVEL
1925
GAVEL Defined for Kids
gavel
noun gav·el \ˈga-vəl\
Definition of GAVEL for Kids
: a mallet with which the person in charge raps to get people's attention in a meeting or courtroom
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