gavel

n. [ OF. gavelle, F. javelle, prob. dim. from L. capulus handle, fr. capere to lay hold of, seize; or cf. W. gafael hold, grasp. Cf. Heave. ] A small heap of grain, not tied up into a bundle. Wright. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Etymol. uncertain. ] 1. The mallet of the presiding officer in a legislative body, public assembly, court, masonic body, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A mason's setting maul. Knight. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. gavel, AS. gafol, prob. fr. gifan to give. See Give, and cf. Gabel tribute. ] (Law) Tribute; toll; custom. [ Obs. ] See Gabel. Cowell. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ From Gavel tribute. ] (O. Eng. Law) An ancient special kind of cessavit used in Kent and London for the recovery of rent. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. gavelkynde, gavelkende. See Gavel tribute, and Kind, n. ] (O. Eng. Law) A tenure by which land descended from the father to all his sons in equal portions, and the land of a brother, dying without issue, descended equally to his brothers. It still prevails in the county of Kent. Cowell. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Same as Gavelock. [ 1913 Webster ]