suppedaneum

English

Etymology

From Late Latin suppedāneum, neuter of suppedāneus (“under the feet”), composed of sup- (“under”) + ped- (“foot”) + -aneus (“-aneous”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /sʌpɪˈdeɪnɪəm/

Noun

suppedaneum (plural suppedanea)

1. a foot-support for a crucified person, projecting from the base of the cross
   • 2002: At the center of the O, a nimbed Christ is fixed to a cross with a large serpent coiled at its base, his feet on a suppedaneum. — Celia Chazell, Reading Medieval Images, ed. Thelma Thomas & Elizabeth Sears (University of Michigan 2005, p. 27)
2. the platform in front of the altar on which celebrating priest stands