mantelpiece

British  

/ ˈmæntəlˌpiːs /

noun

1. Also called: mantel shelf.   chimneypiece.  a shelf above a fireplace often forming part of the mantel

2. another word for mantel

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Explanation

A mantelpiece is a frame around a fireplace, or a shelf above it. When families celebrate Christmas, they often hang stockings from the mantelpiece on Christmas Eve. If you have a fireplace, you probably have a mantelpiece, or a mantel. While some mantelpieces are elaborate and decorative, made of heavy stone like granite or marble, and sometimes extending far up the wall above the fireplace. Others are very simple, made of a plain wooden shelf. The original, medieval mantelpieces were hoods that caught smoke from the fire.

Example Sentences

Annabel Pitcher: 'I've never seen it as an issues book, ever' The first agent Annabel Pitcher approached with her debut novel, My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece, may well be kicking herself now.

From The Guardian • Aug. 19, 2011

When I wrote Mantelpiece I was pretty fearless because I didn't really expect anyone except my mum to read it.

From The Guardian • Aug. 19, 2011

Now, here is a Letter for your Mantelpiece to-morrow—Sunday—I don’t think I have more to say.

From Edward FitzGerald and "Posh" "Herring Merchants" by Blyth, James

Mantelpiece: Mantelshelf: Mantelboard: Mantell and Brace.—What is the origin of this word, and whence came the thing?

From Notes and Queries, Number 231, April 1, 1854 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by Bell, George

And if he purchases victory for that holy cause with his blood, I submit that we cannot decently allow the Foreign Office to hang up his martyr's palm over the War Office Mantelpiece.

From New York Times, Current History, Vol 1, Issue 1 From the Beginning to March, 1915 With Index by Various

Related Words

• counter
• cupboard
• ledge
• rack