Dictionary

man•tle

Pronunciation: (man'tl), [key]
—n., v., -tled, -tling.

—n.
1. a loose, sleeveless cloak or cape.
2. something that covers, envelops, or conceals: the mantle of darkness.
3. Geol.the portion of the earth, about 1800 mi. (2900 km) thick, between the crust and the core. Cf. core ¹ (def. 10), crust (def. 6).
4. Zool.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. Ornith.the back, scapular, and inner wing plumage, esp. when of the same color and distinct from other plumage.
7. mantel.
8. Metall.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.

—v.t.
to cover with or as if with a mantle; envelop; conceal.

—v.i.
1. to spread or cover a surface, as a blush over the face.
2. to flush; blush.
3. (of a hawk) to spread out one wing and then the other over the corresponding outstretched leg.
4. to be or become covered with a coating, as a liquid; foam: The champagne mantled in the glass.