credence table

British  

noun

1. a small sideboard, originally one at which food was tasted for poison before serving

2. Christianity a small table or ledge on which the bread, wine, etc, are placed before being consecrated in the Eucharist

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Example Sentences

At the east end are traces of an altar and credence table, and close by is a piscina.

From Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Winchester A Description of Its Fabric and a Brief History of the Episcopal See by Sergeant, Philip Walsingham

Note the piscina, three sedilia and credence table in chancel; also the finely carved font of Ancaster stone, on marble pillars, presented by the children of the parish.

From Hertfordshire by New, E. H. (Edmund Hort)

When the pope celebrates Mass a special credence table on the Gospel side of the altar is used, and the ceremony of tasting for poison in the unconsecrated elements is still observed.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 6 "Coucy-le-Château" to "Crocodile" by Various

Within will be observed a squint, an ancient credence table in the chancel, and a stoup in the vestry.

From Wanderings in Wessex An Exploration of the Southern Realm from Itchen to Otter by Holmes, Edric

Vincent had in the meanwhile fetched the cruets from the credence table, and now presented them in turn, first the wine and then the water.

From Abbe Mouret's Transgression by Zola, Émile