Word Study
antependium
CIDE DICTIONARY
antependium, n. [LL., fr. L. ante + pendere to hang.].
The hangings or screen in front of the altar; an altar cloth; the frontal. Smollett. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
antependium, n. (pl. antependia) a veil or hanging for the front of an altar.
Etymology
med.L (as ANTE-, pendere hang)
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