retable: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Specialist)Formal, Technical (Art History, Ecclesiastical)
Quick answer
What does “retable” mean?
A decorative structure or shelf placed above and behind an altar, often used to display religious art, sculptures, or ornaments.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A decorative structure or shelf placed above and behind an altar, often used to display religious art, sculptures, or ornaments.
In a museum or art context, a similar structure or frame used for display. Very rarely, a frame or support for any object placed on a table (archaic).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term is equally specialist in both varieties.
Connotations
Purely technical/art historical. No additional cultural connotations.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general language in both regions, used only by relevant specialists (art historians, clergy, architects).
Grammar
How to Use “retable” in a Sentence
The [adjective] retable sits [prepositional phrase: e.g., behind the altar].The church features a [material] retable from the [century].A [style] retable depicting [subject].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in art history, religious studies, and architectural history papers and lectures.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in ecclesiastical architecture, art conservation, and museum cataloguing.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “retable”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “retable”
- Misspelling as 'retabel' or 'reatable'.
- Mispronouncing the first syllable as 'reh' (like in 'return') instead of 'ree'.
- Using it to mean a portable table or a re-used table.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are often used interchangeably. Strictly, a reredos is typically a large, often stone or wooden, ornamental screen covering the wall behind an altar. A retable is usually a smaller, shelf-like structure on the altar itself or attached to the wall just above it, designed to hold ornaments. In practice, the distinction is blurred.
No, 'retable' is exclusively a noun in modern English. There is no standard verb form.
No. It is a highly specialised term. Most native speakers would not know it unless they have studied art history, architecture, or ecclesiastical furnishings.
Pronounce it as REE-tay-bul. Stress the first syllable, with a long 'ee' sound, similar to 'read' (present tense).
A decorative structure or shelf placed above and behind an altar, often used to display religious art, sculptures, or ornaments.
Retable is usually formal, technical (art history, ecclesiastical) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: REar TABLE. It's the decorative table-like structure at the REAR of the altar.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FRAME FOR DEVOTION (a physical structure framing and elevating the focus of religious attention).
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts would you most likely encounter the word 'retable'?