[man-tl] 
| 1. | a construction framing the opening of a fireplace and usually covering part of the chimney breast in a more or less decorative manner. |
| 2. | Also called mantelshelf. a shelf above a fireplace opening. |
| man·tel also man·tle (mān'tl) n.
[Middle English mantel, as in mantiltre, beam over fireplace opening (perhaps from its use for drying wet clothing); see manteltree.] |
| man·tel·piece (mān'tl-pēs') n. Chiefly Eastern & Southern U.S. See mantel. |
mantelpiece
hood or other similar projection, usually ornamented, that surrounds the opening of a fireplace and directs smoke up to the chimney flue. See chimneypiece.
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