netherfront

English

Etymology

From nether- +‎ front.

Noun

netherfront (plural netherfronts)

1. A cloth hanging that veils the front of the altar.
   • 1904, Transactions - Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society, page 258:

     The most noteworthy altar-cloths were a set given by Alice Chester, the overfront representing our Lord rising out of the Sepulchre, sometimes called our Lord's Pity, with a netherfront and two curtains all "of one work."

   • 1904, Essays on Ceremonial, page 7:

     To the lowest linen cloth was attached, a band of rich material, that hung over the front of the altar and hid the attachment of the netherfront.

   • 2016, Sarah Hamilton, Andrew Spicer, Defining the Holy:

     It seems quite possible that the 'greater sorte' of silk pictures in particular were intended to adorn an altar, either as an overfront, a netherfront or even a reredos.