gavel

¹gav·el

noun \ˈga-vəl\

Definition of GAVEL

:  rent or tribute in medieval England

Origin of GAVEL

Middle English, from Old English gafol; akin to Old English giefan to give

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with GAVEL

cavil, gravel, ravel, travel

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

Rhymes with GAVEL

cavil, gravel, ravel, travel

³gavel

transitive verb

gaveled or gavelledgavel·ing or gavel·ling \ˈgav-liŋ, ˈga-və-\

Definition of GAVEL

:  to bring or force by use of a gavel <gaveled the audience to silence>

First Known Use of GAVEL

1925