Mantel \Man"tel\, n. [The same word as mantle a garment; cf. F. manteau de chemin['e]e. See Mantle.]

(Arch.) The finish around a fireplace, covering the chimney-breast in front and sometimes on both sides; especially, a shelf above the fireplace, and its supports. [Written also mantle.]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Mantle \Man"tle\, n. [OE. mantel, OF. mantel, F. manteau, fr. L. mantellum, mantelum, a cloth, napkin, cloak, mantle (cf. mantele, mantile, towel, napkin); prob. from manus hand + the root of tela cloth. See Manual, Textile, and cf. Mandil, Mantel, Mantilla.]

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

[The] children are clothed with mantles of satin. --Bacon.

The green mantle of the standing pool. --Shak.

Now Nature hangs her mantle green On every blooming tree. --Burns.

2. (Her.) Same as Mantling.

3. (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) The external fold, or folds, of the soft, exterior membrane of the body of a mollusk. It usually forms a cavity inclosing the gills. See Illusts. of Buccinum, and Byssus.
   (b) Any free, outer membrane.
   (c) The back of a bird together with the folded wings.

4. (Arch.) A mantel. See Mantel.

5. The outer wall and casing of a blast furnace, above the hearth. --Raymond.

6. (Hydraulic Engin.) A penstock for a water wheel.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Mantle \Man"tle\, 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. --Shak.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Mantle \Man"tle\, v. i.

1. To unfold and spread out the wings, like a mantle; -- said of hawks. Also used figuratively.

Ne is there hawk which mantleth on her perch. --Spenser.

Or tend his sparhawk mantling in her mew. --Bp. Hall.

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

2. To spread out; -- said of wings.

The swan, with arched neck Between her white wings mantling proudly, rows. --Milton.

3. To spread over the surface as a covering; to overspread; as, the scum mantled on the pool.

Though mantled in her cheek the blood. --Sir W. Scott.

4. To gather, assume, or take on, a covering, as froth, scum, etc.

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

Nor bowl of wassail mantle warm. --Tennyson.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)