gauntlet

noun

Etymology: Modified, under the influence of etymology 1, from gantlope, from Swedish gatlopp (“passageway”), from Old Swedish gata (“lane”) + lopp (“course”), from löpa (“to run”) ]

1. Two parallel rows of attackers who strike at a criminal as punishment.
2. A simultaneous attack from two or more sides.
3. Any challenging, difficult, or painful ordeal, often one performed for atonement or punishment.

   “[John] Winthrop ran the gantlet of daily slights from his neighbors.”

4. A fight against swarms of relatively minor enemies in the form of multiple waves, often but not always preceding a boss.
5. Overlapping parallel rail tracks; either to allowing passage through a narrow opening in each direction without switching, or to allow vehicles of a larger gauge to pass through a station without hitting the platforms.