mantle1 /'m{ntl/ noun

1 take on/assume/wear the mantle of formal to accept or have a particular duty or responsibility: It is up to Europe to take on the mantle of leadership in environmental issues.

2 a mantle of snow/darkness etc literary something such as snow or darkness that covers a surface or area: A mantle of snow lay on the trees.

3 [countable] a loose piece of outer clothing without sleeves, worn in former times

4 [countable] a cover put over the flame of a gas or oil lamp to make it shine more brightly

5 [countable] technical the part of the Earth around the central core1 (6)

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mantle2 verb [transitive]
literary to cover the surface of something