Originally a piece of ornamental precious cloth suspended above the altar at the rear and known as the dossel or dorsal. A permanent or movable structure of metal, stone, or wood was later introduced instead of the cloth; the side facing the church is called the retable; the reverse, the counterretable. When richly ornamented with panels, statues, etc., the structure is called a reredos. Such altar decorations are also known as altar-pieces.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
Read More