Mantle Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of MANTLE

[count]

1

:

a loose piece of clothing without sleeves that was worn over other clothes especially in the past

:

cloak

2

literary

:

something that covers or surrounds something else

— + of

• The ground was covered/cloaked in a mantle of leaves.
• mountains blanketed/wrapped in a mantle of snow
• A mantle of secrecy surrounded the family's past. [=the family's past was kept secret]

3

formal

:

the position of someone who has responsibility or authority

• He took on the mantle of director. [=he took on the job of being the director]
• She accepted/assumed the mantle of leadership.

4

technical

:

the middle layer of the Earth that is between the top crust and the inner core

Britannica Dictionary definition of MANTLE

[+ object]

formal + literary

:

to cover or surround (something)

— usually used as (be) mantled

• The mountains were mantled with/in snow.