ˈmantelshelf
[f. mantel n. + shelf.]
That projecting part of a mantelpiece which serves as a shelf. Also transf. (esp. in Mountaineering).
| 1828–32 in Webster. 1833 Loudon Encycl. Cottage Archit. 1073. 1838 Dickens O. Twist viii, A frying-pan..which was secured to the mantelshelf by a string. 1888 ‘Bernard’ Fr. World to Cloister i. 9 He stood up, leaning against the mantleshelf. |
| transf. 1897 O. G. Jones Rock-climbing 263 Close up against the wall that blocked the head of the gully, a long stride was to be taken across to a narrow ‘mantelshelf’ on the other side. 1941 C. F. Kirkus Let's Go Climbing! iv. 60 Half-way up is a ledge..with no holds for some distance above... This is known as a mantelshelf. 1955 M. E. B. Banks Commando Climber xii. 230 A little higher he was stopped by a rock wall capped by an icy mantelshelf. 1963 ‘G. Carr’ Lewker in Norway viii. 161 A firm right foothold, a smooth ‘mantelshelf’ movement, and he was up and standing on the rock bridge. 1968 P. Crew Encycl. Dict. Mountaineering 81 The mantelshelf technique has three main steps as follows: a pull up to raise the body as high as possible; changing one arm, and then the other, into a press-up position; cocking one leg up onto the ledge and slowly standing up. |