Mantle

(măn’tl), n. [A-S. mentel, mæntel, O. Fr. mantel, N. Fr. manteau, Pr. mantel, It. mantello, Sp. mantilla, O. H. Ger. mantal, N. H. Ger., D., Dan., & Sw. mantel, Icel. möttull, L. Lat. mantellus, from Lat. mantellum, mantelum.]

1Sense 1. A loose garment to be worn over other garments; an enveloping robe; a cloak; hence, figuratively, a covering or concealing envelope.

The herald and children are clothed with mantles of satin. Bacon.

Well covered with the night's black mantle. Shak.

2Sense 2. The froth or scum on a liquid. [Rare.]

3Sense 3. (Her.) That appearance of folded cloth that is drawn about a coat of arms.

4Sense 4. (Zoöl.) (a.) The outer soft membrane of the body of a mollusk. It may line the shell, as in oysters, or include it. Its junctions are very various. (b.) Any free outer membrane.

5Sense 5. (Arch.) A mantel. See MANTEL.

Ladies'-mantle (Bot.), a little plant (Alchemilla vulgaris).

v. t. [imp. & p. p. MANTLED; p. pr. & vb. n. MANTLING.] To cover or envelop, as with a mantle; to cloak; to hide; to disguise.

So the rising senses Begin to chase the ignorant fumes that mantle Their clearer reason. Shak.

v. i. 1. To rise and spread; to expand; to spread; to be spread out, especially in a graceful or elegant manner, or for pleasure.

The swan, with arched neck Between her white wings mantling, rows Her state with oary feet. Milton.

He gave the mantling vine to grow, A trophy to his love. Fenton.

When mantling blood Flowed in his lovely cheeks. Smith.

2Sense 2. Hence, to revel in pleasure; to taste delight; to joy.

My frail fancy, fed with full delights, Doth bathe in bliss, and mantleth most at ease. Spenser.

3Sense 3. To become covered, as a liquid, on the surface; to send up a scum or froth.

There is a sort of men whose visages Do cream and mantle like a standing pond. Shak.