predella means A raised step near the base of a Christian altar. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 86 out of 100.
predella is pronounced /pɹɪˈdɛlə/.
Why “predella” is a great word
A raised step or platform forming the base of an altarpiece, often adorned with a series of small narrative paintings or intricate carvings. Its name descends from the Italian predella ('footrest, altar step'), from Lombardic pretil, from a Germanic root meaning 'board.' Unlike an 'altarpiece,' which soars above as the main devotional focus, or a 'superaltar,' a portable consecrated slab, the predella is the fixed and foundational stage from which the sacred drama ascends. It is the intimate, close-to-the-ground gallery for subdued scenes in miniature; the worn step the priest’s feet know by feel in the darkened chapel; the literal support upon which the visionary gold leaf is elevated. It is the humble, necessary earth from which the heavens rise.
Etymology
Borrowed from Italian predella, from Lombardic pretil.
noun
- A raised step near the base of a Christian altar.
- A carving or painting on this step.