mantle
mantle — noun
- mantlesingular
- mantlesplural
1. the duties and authority belonging to an important role, particularly when they
the duties and authority belonging to an important role, particularly when they are handed down by a predecessor to their successor
Karim took on the mantle of team leader after their manager retired last year.
collocation: take on the mantle
When the old director retired, she passed the mantle to her trusted assistant.
collocation: pass the mantle
The new mayor accepted the mantle of representing the city's poorest communities.
The young princess was not ready for the heavy mantle her father's death left her.
- responsibility
broader term; mantle adds the idea of tradition and succession
- role
describes the function rather than the duties passed on
- burden
negative connotation of weight; mantle can be positive or neutral
文法句型
the mantle of [role/position]
take on the mantle
assume the mantle
pass the mantle
用法筆記
Frequently paired with verbs like 'take on', 'assume', 'accept' or 'pass'. The image is of a ceremonial cloak handed from one person to the next, so the sense always implies a transfer of responsibility.
常見錯誤
2. a layer of a substance such as snow, fog, dust, or smoke that lies over and cove
a layer of a substance such as snow, fog, dust, or smoke that lies over and covers the surface of something
A thick mantle of fog covered the valley, hiding the village below.
pattern: a mantle of [substance]
Snow lay in a white mantle across the fields around Tamar's farmhouse.
The old car sat under a heavy mantle of dust in the abandoned garage.
By morning a crystal mantle of frost had formed on every window of the cabin.
文法句型
a mantle of [substance]
用法筆記
Typically found in descriptive or literary writing. The substance named after 'of' is almost always a natural element: snow, fog, mist, frost, dust, smoke, or ash.
3. the thick layer of hot, solid rock that lies between a planet's outer crust and
the thick layer of hot, solid rock that lies between a planet's outer crust and its central core, especially that of the Earth
Earthquakes happen when energy stored deep in the Earth's mantle is suddenly released.
domain: geology
Scientists study the Earth's mantle by examining rocks pushed up from volcanoes.
The Earth's mantle is about three thousand kilometres thick, far thicker than the crust.
Devika's research project looks at how heat travels through the mantle under the Pacific Ocean.
文法句型
the [planet]'s mantle
the mantle of [planet]
用法筆記
In general contexts the definite article is used: 'the mantle'. When referring to other planets, the possessive form is common: 'Mars's mantle'. The mantle is distinct from both the crust (the thin outer layer) and the core (the centre).
常見錯誤
4. a sleeveless outer wrap placed over regular clothing in earlier centuries, used
a sleeveless outer wrap placed over regular clothing in earlier centuries, used for warmth, ceremony, or protection
In the painting the king wears a purple mantle decorated with gold thread.
historical clothing term
Medieval travelers often carried a thick wool mantle to protect themselves from rain and wind.
Bao wore a simple brown mantle tied with a rope belt in the school play.
The queen's ceremonial mantle was made of red velvet and lined with white fur.
用法筆記
A historical garment; modern equivalents are 'cape' or 'wrap'. Do not confuse with 'mantel' (the shelf above a fireplace), which is a different word despite the similar spelling.
常見錯誤
5. a flat shelf built above a fireplace opening, used for holding decorative items
a flat shelf built above a fireplace opening, used for holding decorative items such as clocks, vases, or photographs
Diego placed two tall candles on the wooden mantle above the fireplace.
also spelled 'mantel'
A row of framed family photographs stood on the stone mantle in the living room.
The clock on the mantle chimed twelve times, announcing the start of the new year.
Reema dusted the mantle carefully, moving each little ornament aside and back.
- mantelpiece
the more common full form, especially in British English
- mantelshelf
less common alternative term
用法筆記
Also commonly spelled 'mantel' (especially in American English). Both spellings are pronounced identically. The full compound noun 'mantelpiece' or 'mantlepiece' is more frequent in everyday conversation.
常見錯誤
6. a small mesh hood attached to a gas or oil lamp that produces a bright white glo
a small mesh hood attached to a gas or oil lamp that produces a bright white glow when heated by the flame
The old gas street lamps had a fragile mantle that gave a warm glow.
technical: gas lamp component
When the mantle of the camping lantern broke, the light became much dimmer than before.
Marco replaced the cracked mantle on his gas lamp before the week-long hiking trip.
The museum displays antique gas lamps with their original silk mantles still in place.
- gas mantle
the full term; 'mantle' alone is understood in context
用法筆記
A specialised term most often encountered in camping equipment catalogues, historical descriptions of street lighting, or museum contexts. The mantle is usually made of fabric impregnated with chemicals that glow white-hot.
mantle — verb
- mantlepresent simple I / you / we / they
- mantles3rd person singular
- mantling-ing form
- mantledpast simple
1. to wrap, cover, or hide something completely, as though placing a cloak over it
to wrap, cover, or hide something completely, as though placing a cloak over it
Early morning mist mantled the rooftops of the sleeping town.
literary register: transitive
A thin layer of ash mantled the garden after the volcano erupted several miles away.
Dark clouds mantled the mountain peaks, hiding them completely from view.
The first winter snow mantled the hills in a clean blanket of white.
- uncover
to remove a covering; opposite in meaning
文法句型
mantle + noun phrase
用法筆記
A literary or formal word. Almost always used in written rather than spoken English. The subject is typically a natural phenomenon (mist, snow, darkness, ash). An object is required — this sense is transitive.
常見錯誤
2. to spread gradually across the surface of something, or to become covered by a l
to spread gradually across the surface of something, or to become covered by a layer that spreads
A deep silence mantled over the crowd after the shocking announcement.
intransitive: mantle + over
Red and orange leaves mantled across the surface of the pond as autumn arrived.
Green moss mantled over the old stone wall at the back of the garden.
As evening fell, deep darkness mantled across the forest paths one by one.
文法句型
mantle over [surface]
mantle across [surface]
用法筆記
This intransitive sense describes the spreading process itself, without a direct object. Often followed by 'over' or 'across'. Subjects are typically abstract or natural: silence, darkness, leaves, moss.