retable

[ ri-tey-buhl, ree-tey- ]
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noun
  1. a decorative structure raised above an altar at the back, often forming a frame for a picture, bas-relief, or the like, and sometimes including a shelf or shelves, as for ornaments.

Origin of retable

1
1815–25; <French, equivalent to Old French re(re) at the back (<Latin retrō) + tabletable; compare Medieval Latin retrōtabulum

Words Nearby retable

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British Dictionary definitions for retable

retable

/ (rɪˈteɪbəl) /


noun
  1. an ornamental screenlike structure above and behind an altar, esp one used as a setting for a religious picture or carving

Origin of retable

1
C19: from French, from Spanish retablo, from Latin retrō behind + tabula board; see rear 1, table

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