A gavel is a small ceremonial mallet, commonly made of hardwood and fitted with a handle. It functions as a symbol of authority and is struck against a sound block to sharpen its acoustic effect. Its primary everyday use is in live auctions, where an auctioneer strikes it to signal that bidding has ended and the highest offer accepted. Tradition holds that Vice President John Adams introduced the gavel to the first United States Senate in 1789, and it remains customary in American proceedings for a presiding officer to tap it when opening or closing a session, or for a judge to mark a final ruling. Its use varies across cultures, but it generally helps a presiding officer keep order during a meeting. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Facts
Introduced When (Circa)Use in live auctions dates back to the 17th century; tradition separately credits Vice President John Adams with introducing the gavel to the first United States Senate in 1789. 1 OriginIn medieval England the word gavel could refer to a non-cash tribute or rent payment; such agreements were sealed in English land-court with the sound of a gavel, a word that may derive from the Old English gafol, meaning tribute. 1 Sources
1. Gavel (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationEtymology section, gafol sentence
These agreements were set in English land-court with the sound of a gavel, a word which may come from the Old English gafol (meaning "tribute").
Use in auctions section, opening sentence
A gavel is primarily used in live auctions and dates back to the 17th century.
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