retable
[ri-tey-buh l, ree-tey-]
- 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.
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Origin of retable
1815–25; < French, equivalent to Old French re(re) at the back (< Latin retrō) + table table; compare Medieval Latin retrōtabulum
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for retable
Historical Examples of retable
Above the retable is the Madonna with two saints on either side: the crucifix surmounts the whole composition.
DonatelloDavid Lindsay, Earl of Crawford
The retable has two miracle reliefs, and between them a small bronze Christ, which has been put there in error.
DonatelloDavid Lindsay, Earl of Crawford
The candlesticks, in churches where lights at the Holy Communion are used, stand at the ends of the retable.
The Worship of the ChurchJacob A. Regester
In the ancient Abbey Church are two masterpieces, a retable in carved wood and a tomb ornamented with exquisite statuettes.
East of ParisMatilda Betham-Edwards
Another exquisite example of wood carving may be seen in the chapel of Notre-Dame de Compassion, forming the retable.
The Churches of ParisS. Sophia Beale
retable
- an ornamental screenlike structure above and behind an altar, esp one used as a setting for a religious picture or carving
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Word Origin for retable
C19: from French, from Spanish retablo, from Latin retrō behind + tabula board; see rear 1, table
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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