WorldAugust 9, 2026

gavel

GAV-uhl

Definition

A small wooden mallet used by a judge to signal the opening or closing of court proceedings or to command attention.

Etymology

The word's origin is uncertain, but it likely traces back to an Old French word or a dialectal English term related to the idea of a 'fork' or 'bough' used for striking.

In the news

The word is used in an image caption accompanying the article to visually represent the judicial authority and legal rulings being discussed regarding Kenya's election date.

2027 election: Kenya must resolve the constitutional clock before crisis

Read the full article ↗

People Daily

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