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mantilla

Apparel
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A lace or silk veil worn over the head and shoulders, traditionally Spanish, often associated with religious processions, flamenco, and the iconography of Spanish womanhood.

Detailed Definition
The mantilla is a garment of striking elegance, its fine lace falling from a high comb (the peineta) to frame the face and drape over the shoulders. In poetry, the mantilla appears in scenes of Holy Week, Mass, and other Catholic ceremonies, its black or white color marking mourning or celebration. It is also a staple of Andalusian folk imagery, worn by dancers and señoritas. Poets use the mantilla to evoke a specific romanticized Spain—passionate, devout, and steeped in tradition. Its lace texture allows for intricate visual description, and its sway during movement adds rhythm to verses. In love poetry, a gentleman might catch a glimpse of a lady's eye through the gauze of her mantilla, creating a moment of tantalizing veiled beauty. Its association with both piety and flirtation makes it delightfully ambiguous.
Example
Example in poetry:
"Her mantilla of black lace fell like a night sky over her shoulders"; "The mantilla's comb held it in place, a small architecture of elegance"; "She walked to Mass in her mantilla, a shadow of faith"; "The mantilla's lace was a labyrinth of holes, each one a prayer"; "He caught her eye through the gauze of her mantilla and was lost"; "The mantilla, white for the bride, was a veil of joy and a cage of tradition"
Additional Notes
The mantilla is a garment of striking elegance, its fine lace falling from a high comb (the peineta) to frame the face and drape over the shoulders. In poetry, the mantilla appears in scenes of Holy Week, Mass, and other Catholic ceremonies, its black or white color marking mourning or celebration. It is also a staple of Andalusian folk imagery, worn by dancers and señoritas. Poets use the mantilla to evoke a specific romanticized Spain—passionate, devout, and steeped in tradition. Its lace texture allows for intricate visual description, and its sway during movement adds rhythm to verses. In love poetry, a gentleman might catch a glimpse of a lady's eye through the gauze of her mantilla, creating a moment of tantalizing veiled beauty. Related terms include veil, mantilla comb, and reboso. Students should note the mantilla's specific Spanish and Catholic associations and its role in signaling both piety and flirtation.
Other Meanings of “mantilla”
Also Known As
Spanish lace veil black lace shawl head covering
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