A
glove (
Middle English from
Old English glof) is a
garment covering the whole
hand. Gloves have separate sheaths or openings for each
finger and the
thumb; if there is an opening but no (or a short) covering sheath for each finger they are called
fingerless gloves. Fingerless gloves having one large opening rather than individual openings for each finger are sometimes called
gauntlets, though gauntlets are not necessarily fingerless. Gloves which cover the entire hand or fist but do not have separate finger openings or sheaths are called
mittens. Mittens are warmer than gloves made of the same material because fingers maintain their warmth better when they are in contact with each other. Reduced surface area reduces
heat loss.