mantlepiece n 1: shelf that projects from wall above fireplace; "in Britain they call a mantel a chimneypiece" [syn: {mantel}, {mantelpiece}, {mantle}, {mantlepiece}, {chimneypiece}]
Mantel \Man"tel\, n. [The same word as mantle a garment; cf. F. manteau de chemin['e]e. See {Mantle}.] (Arch.) The finish around a fireplace, covering the chimney-breast in front and sometimes on both sides; especially, a shelf above the fireplace, and its supports. The shelf is called also a {mantelpiece} or {mantlepiece}. [Written also {mantle}.] [1913 Webster]
mantlepiece \man"tle*piece\ n. A shelf that projects from the wall above a fireplace; a mantel; as, in England they call a mantelpiece a chimneypiece. Syn: mantel, mantelpiece, mantle, chimneypiece. [WordNet 1.5]
Chimney-piece \Chim"ney-piece`\, chimneypiece \chimneypiece\, n. (Arch.) A decorative construction around the opening of a fireplace; also, the shelf that projects from wall above fireplace; {mantlepiece}. [Chiefly Brit.] Syn: mantel, mantelpiece, mantle, mantlepiece. [1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5]