Mantispid
(Man*tis"pid) n. (Zoöl.) Any neuropterous insect of the genus Mantispa, and allied genera.
The larvæ feed on plant lice. Also used adjectively. See Illust. under Neuroptera.
Mantissa
(Man*tis*sa) n. [L., an addition, makeweight; of Tuscan origin.] (Math.) The decimal part of a
logarithm, as distinguished from the integral part, or characteristic.
Mantle
(Man"tle) n. [OE. mantel, OF. mantel, F. manteau, fr. L. mantellum, mantelum, a cloth, napkin,
cloak, mantle (cf. mantele, mantile, towel, napkin); prob. from manus hand + the root of tela cloth.
See Manual, Textile, and cf. Mandil, Mantel, Mantilla.]
1. A loose garment to be worn over other garments; an enveloping robe; a cloak. Hence, figuratively, a
covering or concealing envelope.
[The] children are clothed with mantles of satin.
Bacon.
The green mantle of the standing pool.
Shak.
Now Nature hangs her mantle green
On every blooming tree.
Burns. 2. (Her.) Same as Mantling.
3. (Zoöl.) (a) The external fold, or folds, of the soft, exterior membrane of the body of a mollusk. It
usually forms a cavity inclosing the gills. See Illusts. of Buccinum, and Byssus. (b) Any free, outer
membrane. (c) The back of a bird together with the folded wings.
4. (Arch.) A mantel. See Mantel.
5. The outer wall and casing of a blast furnace, above the hearth. Raymond.
6. (Hydraulic Engin.) A penstock for a water wheel.
Mantle
(Man"tle), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mantled ; p. pr. & vb. n. Mantling ] To cover or envelop, as
with a mantle; to cloak; to hide; to disguise. Shak.
Mantle
(Man"tle), v. i.
1. To unfold and spread out the wings, like a mantle; — said of hawks. Also used figuratively.
Ne is there hawk which mantleth on her perch.
Spenser.
Or tend his sparhawk mantling in her mew.
Bp. Hall.
My frail fancy fed with full delight.
Doth bathe in bliss, and mantleth most at ease.
Spenser.
