superfrontal
(ˈs(j)uːpəfrʌntəl)
[ad. med.L. superfrontāle: see super- and frontal n.]
1. [super- 3.] A covering of silk or stuff hanging over the upper edge of an altar frontal.
| 1858 Direct. Anglic. (ed. J. Purchas) 5 The slab of the Altar should be covered with the cere-cloth, which in its turn is covered by the superfrontal, which hangs down about ten inches below. 1903 Westm. Gaz. 7 Sept. 10/2 A lady has presented to St. Paul's Cathedral a magnificent frontal and superfrontal. |
2. [super- 1 d.] A dossal.
| [1844 Pugin Gloss. Eccl. Orn. s.v. Frontal, A piece of richly embroidered stuff was also frequently hung above the altar, called a Super-frontale, or upper Frontal, being in fact a low dossell.] 1887 Hook's Ch. Dict., Super-frontal. I. Originally a decoration attached to the wall behind and above the altar. |