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re·ta·ble

(rētā′bəl, rĕtə-)

A structure forming the back of an altar, especially:

a. An overhanging shelf for lights and ornaments.

b. A frame enclosing painted panels.

[French, from Spanish retablo, from alteration of Catalan retaule, from earlier reataula, from Medieval Latin retrōtabulum : Latin retrō-, retro- + Latin tabula, tablet, board.]

(click for a larger image)

retable

altarpiece for the chapel of the Casa de Contratación at the Alcázar

Seville, Spain

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

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Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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