Hypertext Webster Gateway: "paten"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Paten \Pat"en\, n. [LL. patina, patena, fr. L. patina, patena, a
pan; cf. L. patere to be open, E. patent, and Gr. ? a kind of
flat dish: cf. F. pat[`e]ne. Cf. {Patina}.]
1. A plate. [Obs.]
2. (Eccl.) The place on which the consecrated bread is placed
in the Eucharist, or on which the host is placed during
the Mass. It is usually small, and formed as to fit the
chalice, or cup, as a cover. [Written also {patin},
{patine}.]
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