NYT Dictionary

MANTLE

/ˈmæn.təl/
NounVerbMAN-tleman-tle · 2 syllablesGrade 4

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2019, 2023, 2025, 2026

Meaning

A piece of clothing somewhat like an open robe or cloak, especially that worn by Orthodox bishops.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

From Middle English mantel, from Old English mæntel, mentel (“sleeveless cloak”), from Proto-West Germanic *mantel; later reinforced by Anglo-Norman mantel, both from Latin mantellum (“covering, cloak”) (French manteau), diminutive of mantum (Spanish manto), probably from Gaulish *mantos, *mantalos (“trodden road”), from Proto-Celtic *mantos, *mantlos, from Proto-Indo-European *menH- (“tread, press together; crumble”). Compare Icelandic möttull. Doublet of manteau.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

blanketpalliummantelmantelpiecemantlepiecechimneypieceaerateapplyarmorarmory

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 3 recorded puzzles:

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