Make Your Point > Archived Issues > MANTLE

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explore the archives: Today we're checking out mantles (things that cloak), not mantels (places to hang your stockings by the fire). Sorry, but no good reason explains the difference in spelling; both "mantle" and "mantel" come from the same source, with one being a variant of the other. You might remember the spellings by noting that "mantle" looks like "turtle," and a turtle wears a carapace like a mantle. And "mantel" looks more like "shelf," which is what it is. (It's extremely common, but still wrong, to write "mantle" when you mean "shelf above the fireplace.") Anyway, unlike with "mantle" and "mantel," good reasons do exist for the differences in spelling among immanent, imminent, and eminent. Could you recall them? make your point with... "MANTLE" A literal mantle is a cloak. Figuratively, a mantle is anything that covers or wraps around something, cloak-like. Also, because in history certain people (like widows, knights, and Apostles) have worn mantles to symbolize their roles in society, "mantle" also means "leadership role" or "role of responsibility."  Pronunciation: MAN tull Part of speech: Countable noun. (Countable nouns, like "bottle," "piece," and "decision," are words for things that can be broken into exact units. You talk about "a bottle," "three pieces," and "many decisions." Likewise, talk about one mantle or multiple mantles.) Other forms: The plural is "mantles," and the adjective is "mantled." "Mantle" is also a verb. To mantle things or people is to cover them or spread over them like a cloak. Is "dismantle" the opposite of "mantle"?: No, but the connection is worth a moment's thought. To dismantle something is to take it apart or tear it down--to figuratively yank off its cloak. But to mantle something isn't to build it up; it's to put a cover on it. How to use it: First, when you mean that one thing is like a cloak because it hides, protects, or simply covers or surrounds people or things, you call it a mantle of something (or the mantle of something, or somebody's mantle of something): a mantle of protection, the mantle of darkness at midnight, his mantle of concentration. Keep the metaphor in mind: a mantle might be thrown or cast on/onto something, a mantle might be wrapped around something or settled on or settled around something or resting on something, and a mantle might slip off something or be yanked off it, etc. Let's turn to that second meaning: a mantle as a symbol of authority or leadership. People and groups of people might wear the mantle of something: "In her own mind, she wears the mantle of Galileo, assuming she's right just because society rejects her beliefs." And because a particular Bible verse (2 Kings 2:13) describes Elisha taking up the mantle of his dying mentor, Elijah, today we talk about taking up someone's mantle, assuming or claiming a mantle, shrugging off the mantle, transferring a mantle to someone else, even wresting the mantle away from someone, and so on. examples: Wrapped contentedly in her mantle of concentration, Taylor builds her Lego tower. William Zinsser was a master of both journalism and nonfiction, and he wrote On Writing Well, basically the bible for writers and writing instructors. He died last year, and I don't think anyone is qualified to take up his mantle. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "mantle" means when you can explain it without saying "cloak" or "thing that surrounds." try it out: Think of something beautiful or startling you've seen that covers or surrounds something else. Fill in the blanks: "(One thing) is mantled with (the thing that covers or surrounds it)." Example: "The steep hills are mantled with dense ohia trees." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. This month, we’re playing with anagrams: rearrangements of the letters in a word to form new words. (For example, “care” has two anagrams: “acre” and “race.”) Looking for these makes you a stronger player in other word games. But more importantly, it helps you practice thinking flexibly and methodically. Plus you get to giggle at potential non-words and discover new real words. We’ll work our way from shorter to longer anagrams. And at any point if you wonder why I left out a word you wanted to list, or why I included a word you think isn’t a real one, hold your fire: our authority for this game is ScrabbleWordFinder.org, which draws from a highly inclusive dictionary. Let’s play! From yesterday: What are the 2 anagrams for REPLICAS? Answer: CALIPERS and SPIRACLE. "Spiracle" has many meanings, including "a little spire," "a small air hole," and "the blow-hole of a whale." Try this one today: What are the 3 anagrams for CONSTRUE? review today's word: 1. One opposite of MANTLE is A. UNDO B. UNCOVER C. UNTANGLE 2. Below the earth's crust is the mantle, the layer that _____ our planet's core. A. contracts B. surrounds C. equates with Answers are below. a final word: To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. B 2. B