mantle

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Literary

n. a position of authority or a specific job that is passed from one person to another.

n. a figurative garment representing authority, leadership, or a specific role, typically inherited from a predecessor.

“The young prince was ready to take on the mantle of leadership.”

“After the CEO retired, the former vice president struggled to assume the mantle of authority during the economic crisis.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Literary

n. a layer of something that covers a surface, like snow or darkness.

n. anything that covers, conceals, or envelops a surface or object.

“A thick mantle of snow covered the fields during the night.”

“The valley was hidden beneath a heavy mantle of fog that didn't lift until late afternoon.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Archaic · Literary

n. a long, loose piece of clothing without sleeves, worn over other clothes like a cape.

n. a loose, sleeveless cloak or shawl, historically worn as an outer garment.

“The statue was draped in a heavy velvet mantle.”

“The high priest donned a ceremonial mantle embroidered with gold thread for the solstice celebration.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Technical

n. the part of a soft animal, like a snail or clam, that makes its shell.

n. the dorsal body wall of a mollusc which covers the visceral mass and usually secretes the shell.

“The snail's mantle helps it grow a strong shell for protection.”

“In many cephalopods, the mantle is a highly muscular organ used for jet propulsion through the water.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Technical

n. a small mesh bag in a gas lamp that glows brightly when heated.

n. a mesh of metal nitrates that forms a fragile oxide lattice, producing incandescent light when heated by a flame.

“Be careful not to touch the lantern's mantle, as it is very fragile.”

“The camping lantern required a new mantle after the old one crumbled during transport.”

C2 · Proficiency Literary

v. to cover or hide something completely.

v. to cover, envelop, or conceal a surface; often used in a literary context regarding shadows or nature.

“Darkness began to mantle the hills as the sun went down.”

“Vines and ivy had grown to mantle the ruins of the old abbey, hiding the stones from view.”