prə̇ˈdelə noun
( plural predel·le -elē, -e(ˌ)lā)
Etymology: Italian, stool, prayer stool, step of an altar, probably from Old High German bret board; akin to Old English bord board
1.
a. : a step or platform on which an altar is placed — called also footpace
b. : a painting or sculpture on the face of a predella
2.
a. : superaltar
b. : gradine , retable
c. : a painting or sculpture along the front of a superaltar or forming a border or frame at the foot of an altarpiece
3. : a secondary painting constituting a border or other appendage to a principal one