mantle

Pluralmantles

Formsmantles, mantling, mantled

1. 1
   authoritynounfigurativelycountable

   The power or important role someone takes on, thought of as a coat that can also protect people.

   When Coach Lee retired, his assistant took on the mantle of head coach.

   Fans call her the next queen of pop, a mantle she says she does not want.

   Similarrole

   Note
2. 2
   earth layernouncountable

   The layer inside the earth that lies under the crust and above the core.

   The mantle is much hotter than the crust we live on.

   Scientists study the mantle by watching how earthquake waves move through it.

   Note
3. 3
   robenouncountable

   A piece of clothing like an open robe or cape, especially one worn by Orthodox bishops.

   The queen wore a red mantle over her dress.

   The bishop's long mantle trailed behind him as he walked to the altar.

   Similarcloak, cape, robe, wrap

   Note
4. 4
   covering layernounfigurativelycountable

   Anything that covers something else and hides it from view.

   The hills were under a white mantle of snow.

   A mantle of fog hid the bridge all morning.

   Similarblanket, layer, covering, cloak, shroud

   Note
5. 5
   fireplace shelfnoun

   Alternative spelling of mantel. It means the shelf above a fireplace.

   Grandma keeps her family photos on the mantle.

   We hung our stockings from the mantle on Christmas Eve.

   Note
6. 6
   cover oververbtransitive

   To cover something or hide it.

   Ivy mantled the old stone walls of the church.

   In winter, deep snow can mantle the whole village.

   Similarcover, cloak, shroud, blanket, envelop

   Oppositeuncover, reveal

7. 7
   lamp meshnouncountable

   A thin cloth cover in some gas or oil lamps that glows bright white when the flame heats it.

   Dad put a new mantle on the camping lantern before dark.

   The mantle in the lamp glowed bright white when he lit the gas.

   Note
8. 8
   shellfish bodynouncountable

   The part of the body of a snail, clam, or other mollusk that makes its shell.

   The clam's mantle slowly builds up its shell, layer by layer.

   Divers can see the bright blue mantle of the giant clam between its open shells.

   Note
9. 9
   climb ontoverbintransitive

   To climb over something or up on top of it.

   He had to mantle over the wall to get back into the yard.

   She mantled up onto the big rock and waved to us.

   Similarclimb, clamber, scramble

10. 10
    spread (blush)verbintransitive

    To spread out like a cover, especially when someone's face and cheeks turn red.

    When everyone laughed, she felt a red blush mantle over her face.

    Foam mantled over the top of the hot chocolate.

    Similarflush, redden, blush

    Oppositepale, blanch

    Note

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