gas mantle

IPA/ˈɡæs mæntl/
IPA/ˈɡæs mæntl/

gas mantle — noun

1. A small mesh bag or tube made of fabric soaked in metal oxides that fits over th

1.nounB2
Definition

A small mesh bag or tube made of fabric soaked in metal oxides that fits over the burner of a gas lantern; when the gas is lit, the mantle becomes very hot and gives off a bright white light.

Example

Mei-Lin replaced the old gas mantle on her camping lantern before the trip.

collocation: replace a gas mantle

Tomás touched the hot gas mantle, and it crumbled into grey ash.

usage note: gas mantle is very fragile when hot

Common collocations
  • replace a gas mantle
  • fit a gas mantle
  • the gas mantle glows / burns
  • the gas mantle crumbles / turns to ash
  • a broken gas mantle
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

a [adjective] gas mantle

gas mantle + verb

Usage Note

Gas mantles are extremely fragile once they have been heated — even a light touch can reduce a hot or recently-used mantle to powder. Always let the mantle cool completely before handling the lantern.

Common Mistakes

The gas mantle is made of solid metal.
The gas mantle is made of fabric soaked in metal oxides.
A mantle is a mesh fabric, not solid metal, and it burns off to leave only the oxide structure.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

The most common term for this device is "gas mantle," which is understood by anyone who camps or uses outdoor gas lanterns. "Lantern mantle" is a slight synonym, used interchangeably by manufacturers. "Incandescent mantle" is a historical or technical label — you might find it in a museum description or an industrial lighting catalogue. "Gas lamp cover" is sometimes used by people unfamiliar with the precise item, but it is misleading: a cover suggests something that blocks light, whereas a mantle produces light. If you are buying replacements for a camping trip, ask for a "gas mantle" or "lantern mantle" only.

gas mantle ↗lantern mantleincandescent mantlegas lamp cover

Common collocations

Nouns

  • camping lantern
  • lantern burner
  • gas lamp
  • outdoor light

Phrases

  • replace a gas mantle
  • fit a gas mantle
  • the mantle glows
  • turn to ash

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word "mantle" originally comes from Latin "mantellum," meaning a cloak or covering. In the 1880s, the Austrian chemist Carl Auer von Welsbach invented a small fabric "cloak" that fits over a gas flame to produce bright incandescent light, and the name "mantle" was applied to the device. "Gas mantle" first appeared around the 1890s as gas lighting became common in homes and later in camping lanterns.