mantle
Mantle (verb) means to cover, cloak, or conceal something. Example: “Fog mantled the valley by early morning.”
How to use mantle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA covering layer (like a cloak, or the layer of rock inside the Earth), or figuratively, a role or duty someone takes on.
Don't mix up with "mantel," the fireplace shelf.
Word forms
mantled past tense, mantles singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Fog _____ the valley by early morning.
Etymology
From Old English mæntel ("sleeveless cloak"), from Latin mantellum ("covering, cloak").
Related words
Rhymes for mantle
See all rhymes for mantle →Frequently asked questions
What does “mantle” mean?
The word “mantle” means to cover, cloak, or conceal something. In plain terms, a covering layer (like a cloak, or the layer of rock inside the Earth), or figuratively, a role or duty someone takes on.
How do you pronounce “mantle”?
“Mantle” is pronounced MAN-tuhl (/ˈmæn.təl/ in IPA).
How do you use “mantle” in a sentence?
Here is “mantle” used in a sentence: “Fog mantled the valley by early morning.”
What part of speech is “mantle”?
Depending on how it is used, “mantle” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “mantle” come from?
The word “mantle” comes from Latin. From Old English mæntel ("sleeveless cloak"), from Latin mantellum ("covering, cloak").
Is “mantle” a common word?
“Mantle” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “mantle” have?
“Mantle” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to cover, cloak, or conceal something.
What is the difference between mantle and mantel?
Mantle and mantel are homophones with different meanings. Mantle refers to covering or concealing something, the layer of the Earth beneath the crust, or a cloak or passed-on responsibility, while mantel specifically refers to the shelf above a fireplace. Despite sounding identical, the two spellings are not interchangeable.
What does it mean to take up the mantle?
To 'take up the mantle' means to accept a position or responsibility that has been passed on, often from a predecessor. This usage draws on the sense of mantle as a loose cloak symbolically handed to a successor.
How is the Earth's mantle different from its crust and core?
The mantle is the layer of the Earth located between the crust and the core. The crust is the thin outer layer we live on, while the core sits at the very center of the planet, meaning the mantle forms the thick middle layer connecting the two.