mantel

or man·tle

[ man-tl ]

See synonyms for mantel on Thesaurus.com

noun

a construction framing the opening of a fireplace and usually covering part of the chimney breast in a more or less decorative manner.
Also called mantelshelf. a shelf above a fireplace opening.

Origin of mantel

1480–90; earlier mantell mantelet; variant of mantle

Also called man·tel·piece [man-tl-pees], /ˈmæn tlˌpis/, mantlepiece.

Words that may be confused with mantel

mantel , mantle

Words Nearby mantel

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use mantel in a sentence

In her memoir, Giving Up the Ghost, mantel writes of her own childhood encounters with the paranormal.
Hilary Mantel Visits the Twilight Zone | Jennie Yabroff | October 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
mantel did live in Saudi Arabia with her husband for nearly a decade, and this piece was originally published as memoir.
Hilary Mantel Visits the Twilight Zone | Jennie Yabroff | October 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Author Hilary mantel is under fire for writing a story about killing Margaret Thatcher.
The Strange World of Political Assassination Fantasies | James Poulos | September 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
His mantel is chock full of Oscars and Grammys (three of each).
Giorgio Moroder, Dance Music Legend, on Remixing Coldplay’s ‘Midnight’ and ‘Crazy’ Lana Del Rey | Douglas Wolk | April 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Nick Lord, 25, wins commission to paint Booker Prize winner Hilary mantel for a portrait which will hang in the British Library.
Controversial Semi-Clothed Kate Middleton Artist Wins Big British Award | Tom Sykes | December 11, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST

When he was gone, Isaacson stood by the mantel-piece for nearly five minutes, thinking and motionless.
Bella Donna | Robert Hichens
The lady of the roses went to the mirror over the untidy mantel piece, and looked at herself, as she answered.
Rosemary in Search of a Father | C. N. Williamson
Over the mantel in our parlor we have a picture of the lion's den, and it is one of the choicest of our family treasures.
The Soldier of the Valley | Nelson Lloyd
We don't even have real big prizes—just a dinky little spoon sitting up on the mantel-piece to excite us as if it was a tiara.
Ancestors | Gertrude Atherton
Moodily he stood there, one hand on the high mantel shelf, one foot upon an andiron, his eyes upon the flames.
St. Martin's Summer | Rafael Sabatini

British Dictionary definitions for mantel

mantel

less commonly mantle

/ (ˈmæntəl) /

noun

a wooden or stone frame around the opening of a fireplace, together with its decorative facing
Also called: mantel shelf a shelf above this frame

Origin of mantel

C15: from French, variant of mantle

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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