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.
3.
Geology. the portion of the earth, about 1800 mi. (2900 km) thick, between the crust and the core. Compare core1(def. 10), crust(def. 6).
4.
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.
5.
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.
6.
Ornithology. the back, scapular, and inner wing plumage, esp. 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)
9.
to cover with or as if with a mantle; envelop; conceal.
–verb (used without object)
10.
to spread or cover a surface, as a blush over the face.
11.
to flush; blush.
12.
(of a hawk) to spread out one wing and then the other over the corresponding outstretched leg.
13.
to be or become covered with a coating, as a liquid; foam: The champagne mantled in the glass.
[Origin: bef. 900; ME mantel, OE mæntel < L mantellum]
Man"tle\, n. [OE. mantel, OF. mantel, F. manteau, fr. L. mantellum, mantelum, a cloth, napkin, cloak, mantle (cf. mantele, mantile, towel, napkin); prob. from manus hand + the root of tela cloth. See Manual, Textile, and cf. Mandil, Mantel, Mantilla.]1. A loose garment to be worn over other garments; an enveloping robe; a cloak. Hence, figuratively, a covering or concealing envelope. [The] children are clothed with mantles of satin. --Bacon. The green mantle of the standing pool. --Shak. Now Nature hangs her mantle green On every blooming tree. --Burns. 2. (Her.) Same as Mantling. 3. (Zo["o]l.) (a) The external fold, or folds, of the soft, exterior membrane of the body of a mollusk. It usually forms a cavity inclosing the gills. See Illusts. of Buccinum, and Byssus. (b) Any free, outer membrane. (c) The back of a bird together with the folded wings. 4. (Arch.) A mantel. See Mantel. 5. The outer wall and casing of a blast furnace, above the hearth. --Raymond. 6. (Hydraulic Engin.) A penstock for a water wheel.
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