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Definition of altarpiece

altarpiece

/ˈɔːl.tɚˌpiːs/
al · tar · piece
Plural:altarpieces
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altarpiece Lexical Profile

altarpiece Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A work of art, such as a painting, relief sculpture, or decorative screen, placed behind and above the altar of a Christian church.

Example

"The art history students traveled to Ghent to examine the intricate panels of the famous fifteenth-century altarpiece."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for altarpiece

• Nearby Words

altai
altamaha
altar
altarpiece
alter
alterable
alteration

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the 17th century as a compound of "altar" (from Late Latin altare, meaning "high place") and "piece" (in the artistic sense of a finished work or composition).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Altarpiece. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/altarpiece
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