retable

noun

re·​ta·​ble ˈrē-ˌtā-bəl 

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