predella

noun

pre·del·la pri-ˈde-lə

: the base of an altarpiece

especially : one containing decorated panels depicting scenes related to the main panel or panels

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Saint Leopold and the predella appear to have been executed by another artist in the 1510s. —

Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Jan. 2020 The companion predella paintings, once attributed to Lorenzo di Credi, are now thought to be partly the work of Leonardo da Vinci. —

BostonGlobe.com, 9 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'predella.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Italian, footrest, altar step, predella, from Langobardic (Germanic language of the Lombards) *predel-, *pretel-, lath, board; akin to Old High German bret board, bort plank, ship's side — more at board entry 1

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of predella was in 1853

See more words from the same year