antependium

American  

[an-tee-pen-dee-uhm] / ˌæn tiˈpɛn di əm /

noun

plural

antependia

1. the decoration of the front of an altar, as a covering of silk or a painted panel.

---

antependium British  

/ ˌæntɪˈpɛndɪəm /

noun

1. a covering hung over the front of an altar

---

Etymology

Origin of antependium

From Medieval Latin, dating back to 1690–1700; see origin at ante-, pend, -ium

Example Sentences

There are also reproductions of a medieval tapestry, History of Venus, and several sculptures, notably St. George and the Dragon by Fritz Preiss and Fulda's 11th century antependium for Basel Cathedral.

From Time Magazine Archive

Front of Shrine:—Here are two compartments; the lower one shows on the right side an altar, of which the south end faces the spectator; it is supported on four legs and has an antependium.

From Bell’s Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Hereford, A Description Of Its Fabric And A Brief History Of The Episcopal See by Fisher, A. Hugh (Alfred Hugh)

In one of the detached apartments, I saw the antependium of the altar, designed for the famous chapel of St. Lorenzo.

From Travels through France and Italy by Smollett, T. (Tobias)