paten: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Ecclesiastical, Technical (Liturgical)
Quick answer
What does “paten” mean?
A plate, typically made of precious metal, used in the Christian Eucharist to hold the consecrated bread.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A plate, typically made of precious metal, used in the Christian Eucharist to hold the consecrated bread.
In a broader historical or secular context, any shallow dish or plate, especially one used for ceremonial purposes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is uniformly ecclesiastical.
Connotations
Strongly associated with formal religious ritual, tradition, and often valuable materials (gold, silver).
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language, but standard within the specific domain of liturgy and ecclesiastical art in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “paten” in a Sentence
The [precious metal] paten [was used/venerated/handled][Verb: place/hold/bless] the host on the patenVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, religious studies, and art history contexts.
Everyday
Extremely rare except for those involved in church services.
Technical
Standard term in liturgical studies and descriptions of ecclesiastical metalwork.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “paten”
- Incorrect plural: 'patens' (correct: 'patens' or 'patens') is acceptable, though rare.
- Mispronunciation: /ˈpeɪtən/ (like 'patent'). Correct is /ˈpætən/.
- Confusing it with the more common word 'patent'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are false friends. 'Paten' comes from Latin 'patina' (dish). 'Patina' (the green film) comes from Italian, also from Latin 'patina', but the meanings diverged centuries ago.
It rhymes with 'batten', not 'fatten' with a long 'a'. The stress is on the first syllable: /ˈpætən/.
It is possible in historical or archaeological descriptions to refer to any ancient plate or shallow dish, but this is very rare. Its primary and overwhelming use is liturgical.
A paten is a plate for the consecrated bread (the host). A chalice is a cup for the consecrated wine. They are the two primary vessels used in the Eucharist.
A plate, typically made of precious metal, used in the Christian Eucharist to hold the consecrated bread.
Paten is usually formal, ecclesiastical, technical (liturgical) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated with this specific term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PATEN holds the sacred PAT of bread (the host). Think of a golden plate for the Eucharist.
Conceptual Metaphor
A VESSEL FOR THE SACRED (holding the body of Christ).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'paten' most specifically and accurately used?