credence table: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2/Very LowFormal, Ecclesiastical, Historical
Quick answer
What does “credence table” mean?
A small table, shelf, or niche in a church, near the altar, on which the bread, wine, and other elements of the Eucharist are placed before being consecrated.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small table, shelf, or niche in a church, near the altar, on which the bread, wine, and other elements of the Eucharist are placed before being consecrated.
In a broader sense, it can refer to any small side table in a church or sacristy used for holding liturgical items or for preparation in religious ceremonies. By extension, it can sometimes be used to describe a small, often decorative table in a secular setting used to display objects.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term is standard in liturgical contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes historical tradition, ritual, and high-church Anglican or Roman Catholic practice. In American English, may be slightly more associated with formal Catholic settings.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language. Slightly higher recognition in the UK due to the established Church of England and its architectural/historical discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “credence table” in a Sentence
The [material] credence table stood [prepositional phrase: e.g., to the north of the altar].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “credence table” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The vessels are credenced before the service. (Extremely rare, technical liturgical use)
adjective
British English
- The credence-table placement is specified in the rubrics. (Hyphenated attributive use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in art history, theology, religious studies, and architectural descriptions of churches.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Standard term in ecclesiastical architecture and liturgical manuals.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “credence table”
Strong
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “credence table”
- Mispronouncing 'credence' as /krɪˈdens/ or /ˈkredəns/.
- Using it to refer to any small table in a non-religious context is highly unusual and likely incorrect.
- Confusing it with a 'prie-dieu' (prayer desk) or an 'ambo' (pulpit).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The altar is the main table for the Eucharist. The credence table is a smaller, subsidiary table used for preparation.
Rarely and only by direct analogy, such as in a museum describing a historical piece. In modern secular usage, 'side table' or 'console table' is preferred.
In traditional liturgy: the chalice, paten, cruets of wine and water, a basin and towel for the lavabo (ritual hand-washing), and sometimes the bread to be consecrated.
The name derives from the Latin 'credere' (to believe). Historically, it was where the wine and food offered by the faithful were tested ('given credence') for poison before being used in the Mass, though this practice is obsolete.
A small table, shelf, or niche in a church, near the altar, on which the bread, wine, and other elements of the Eucharist are placed before being consecrated.
Credence table is usually formal, ecclesiastical, historical in register.
Credence table: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkriːdəns ˈteɪb(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkriːdəns ˈteɪb(ə)l/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated with the term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: The CREEDence table holds items for the ritual based on the CREED (belief). It's a small table that gives 'credence' to the ceremony.
Conceptual Metaphor
PREPARATION IS A FOUNDATION FOR RITUAL. The table is a physical foundation holding the elements before they become spiritually significant.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter a 'credence table'?