Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MAN'TLE, n. [Sax. mæntel, mentel; It. and Sp. manto; G. and D. mantel; W. mantell. Qu. Gr. μανδυς, μανδυας, a cloke, from the Persic. In W. mant is that which shuts.]

1. A kind of cloke or loose garment to be worn over other garments. The herald and children are clothed with mantles of satin. Bacon.
2. A cover. Well covered with the night's black mantle. Shak.
3. A cover; that which conceals; as, the mantle of charity.