retable

noun

re·​ta·​ble ˈrē-ˌtā-bəl How to pronounce retable (audio)
rē-ˈtā-
: a raised shelf above an altar for the altar cross, lights, and flowers

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, modification of Old Occitan retaule, alteration of reretaule, ultimately from Latin retro- + tabula board, tablet

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of retable was in 1817

Dictionary Entries Near retable

Cite this Entry

“Retable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retable. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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