retable

American  

[ri-tey-buhl, ree-tey-] / rɪˈteɪ bəl, ˈriˌteɪ- /

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.

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retable British  

/ rɪˈteɪbəl /

noun

1. 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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Etymology

Origin of retable

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

retable

A litany desk, stalls, and credence-table in oak have recently been given, and a retable carved by Miss Neville; the altar cross, however, is too stunted for its position.

From Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Wells A Description of Its Fabric and a Brief History of the Episcopal See by Percy Dearmer

To this building the retable of the high-altar, dedicated in 1469 and now in the north aisle, belongs, still called La Madonna del Coro.

From The Shores of the Adriatic The Austrian Side, The Küstenlande, Istria, and Dalmatia by F. Hamilton (Frederick Hamilton) Jackson

In the ancient Abbey Church are two masterpieces, a retable in carved wood and a tomb ornamented with exquisite statuettes.

From East of Paris Sketches in the Gâtinais, Bourbonnais, and Champagne by Matilda Betham-Edwards

Back of the Altar, and raised above it, is a narrow shelf, called the retable, upon which the several ornaments of the Altar are placed.

From The Worship of the Church and The Beauty of Holiness by J. A. (Jacob Asbury) Regester

Above the retable is the Madonna with two saints on either side: the crucifix surmounts the whole composition.

From Donatello, by Lord Balcarres by David Lindsay, Earl of Crawford

Related Words

• shrine