v. [UN-2 4, 7. Cf. Du. ontmantelen, G. entmanteln, -mänteln.]
1. trans. To divest of a mantle or covering.
1598. Florio, Smantellare, to vnmantle, to vncloke.
c. 1645. Howell, Lett. (1650), I. 26. They unmantled him of a new plush cloke.
1745. H. Walpole, Lett. (1846), II. 86. The newborn babe was shown in a … cradle … under a canopy:… the governess advanced to unmantle it.
a. 1800. Cowper, Odyss. (ed. 2), X. 215. Obedient from the ground, Their folded brow unmantling, all arose, And with admiring eyes … the stag survey’d.
1821. Scott, Kenilw., vii. The Earl … affected to resist when she strove to take his cloak from him. ‘Nay,’ she said, ‘but I will unmantle you’.
fig. 1660. C. Southaick, Fames Genius, in Broadsides, etc. (1863), 23.
| And in Enchiridion spread his fame, | |
| Whose merits floats, whilst others sink with shame: | |
| Not to unmantle self and subtilty, | |
| But the true Portraicture of honesty. |
b. intr. To take off one’s mantle.
1822. A. Cunningham, Tradit. Tales, I. 239. Unmantling as she spoke, [she] turned back to the Towers of Haddon the fairest face that ever left them.
2. trans. To dismantle, unfurnish.
1828. Scott, Tapestried Chamber, ad fin. Lord Woodville [went] to command the Tapestried Chamber to be unmantled, and the door built up.
