1. A
short cloak formerly worn by knights. A
short cloak or
mantle worn by women. "A
mantelet upon his shoulders hanging." (Chaucer)
2. A musket-proof
shield of rope, tree, or metal, which is sometimes used for the protection of sappers or riflemen
while attacking a fortress, or of gunners at embrasures;
now commonly written mantlet.
Origin: F, dim. Of manteau, OF. Mantel. See Mantle.
Source: Websters Vocabulary