gavel
gavel Lexical Profile
gavel Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A small wooden mallet used by a judge, presiding officer, or auctioneer to command attention, maintain order, or signal the confirmation of an action.
"The judge banged her gavel to silence the sudden uproar in the courtroom."
• verb
To strike a gavel in order to bring a meeting, legislative session, or legal proceeding to order.
"The chairman gaveled the chaotic committee meeting to order so they could review the budget."
To silence a speaker or force the end of a debate by continuously striking a gavel.
"The unruly representative was quickly gaveled down by the Speaker of the House."
• Rhymes for gavel
Word Origin & Etymology
The modern sense of a presiding officer's mallet originated in 19th-century American English. Its exact origin is uncertain, though it may derive from early stonemason tools. An older, unrelated English word 'gavel' means tribute or rent, stemming from Old English 'gafol'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.