a decorative piece of cloth represented as hanging from a torse so as to cover the sides and rear of a helmet and often so as to frame the escutcheon below.
something that covers, envelops, or conceals: the mantle of darkness.
Geology. the portion of the earth, about 1800 miles (2900 km) thick, between the crust and the core.Compare core1(def 10), crust(def 6).
Zoology. a single or paired outgrowth of the body wall that lines the inner surface of the valves of the shell in mollusks and brachiopods.
a chemically prepared, incombustible network hood for a gas jet, kerosene wick, etc., that, when the jet or wick is lighted, becomes incandescent and gives off a brilliant light.
Ornithology. the back, scapular, and inner wing plumage, especially when of the same color and distinct from other plumage.
Metallurgy. a continuous beam set on a ring of columns and supporting the upper brickwork of a blast furnace in such a way that the brickwork of the hearth and bosh may be readily replaced.
verb (used with object),man·tled,man·tling.
to cover with or as if with a mantle; envelop; conceal.
verb (used without object),man·tled,man·tling.
to spread or cover a surface, as a blush over the face.
to flush; blush.
(of a hawk) to spread out one wing and then the other over the corresponding outstretched leg.
to be or become covered with a coating, as a liquid; foam: The champagne mantled in the glass.
Origin of mantle
before 900;Middle Englishmantel,Old Englishmæntel < Latinmantellum
Related formsun·man·tled, adjectiveCan be confusedmantelmantle
such a garment regarded as a symbol of someone's power or authorityhe assumed his father's mantle
anything that covers completely or envelopsa mantle of snow
a small dome-shaped or cylindrical mesh impregnated with cerium or thorium nitrates, used to increase illumination in a gas or oil lamp
Also called: palliumzoology
a protective layer of epidermis in molluscs that secretes a substance forming the shell
a similar structure in brachiopods
ornitholthe feathers of the folded wings and back, esp when these are of a different colour from the remaining feathers
geologythe part of the earth between the crust and the core, accounting for more than 82% of the earth's volume (but only 68% of its mass) and thought to be composed largely of peridotiteSee also asthenosphere
"to wrap in a mantle," early 13c.; figurative use from mid-15c., from mantle (n.) or from Old French manteler. Related: Mantled; mantling.
mantle
n.
Old English mentel "loose, sleeveless cloak," from Latin mantellum "cloak" (source of Italian mantello, Old High German mantal, German Mantel, Old Norse mötull), perhaps from a Celtic source. Reinforced and altered 12c. by cognate Old French mantel "cloak, mantle; bedspread, cover" (Modern French manteau), also from the Latin source. Figurative sense "that which enshrouds" is from c.1300. Allusive use for "symbol of literary authority or artistic pre-eminence" is from Elijah's mantle [2 Kings ii:13]. As a layer of the earth between the crust and core (though not originally distinguished from the core) it is attested from 1940.
The layer of the Earth between the crust and the core. It is about 2,900 km (1,798 mi) thick and consists mainly of magnesium-iron silicate minerals, such as olivine and pyroxene. It has an upper, partially molten part, which is about 660 km (409 mi) thick, and a lower, solid part. The upper mantle is the source of magma and volcanic lava.
The layer of soft tissue that covers the body of a clam, oyster, or other mollusk and secretes the material that forms the shell.
