Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Mantelet \Man"tel*et\, n. [F., dim. of manteau, OF. mantel. See
   {Mantle}.]
   1.
      (a) A short cloak formerly worn by knights.
      (b) A short cloak or mantle worn by women.

                A mantelet upon his shoulders hanging.
                                                  --Chaucer.

   2. (Fort.) A musket-proof shield of rope, wood, 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}.

Source : WordNet®

mantelet
     n 1: portable bulletproof shelter [syn: {mantlet}]
     2: short cape worn by women [syn: {mantilla}]