paten

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: pat=en

CIDE DICTIONARY

paten, n. [LL. patina, patena, fr. L. patina, patena, a pan; cf. L. patere to be open, E. patent, and Gr. pata`nh a kind of flat dish: cf. F. patène. Cf. Patina.].

•  A plate.  [1913 Webster]
•  The place on which the consecrated bread is placed in the Eucharist, or on which the host is placed during the Mass. It is usually small, and formed as to fit the chalice, or cup, as a cover.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

paten, n.
1 a shallow dish used for the bread at the Eucharist.
2 a thin circular plate of metal.

Etymology

ME ult. f. OF patene or L patena, patina shallow dish f. Gk patane a plate