What is "antependium"

Antependium \An`te*pen"di*um\, n. [LL., fr. L. ante + pendere to hang.] (Eccl.) The hangings or screen in front of the altar; an altar cloth; the frontal.
--Smollett.

n. (context ecclesiastical English) The hangings or screen in front of the altar; an altar cloth; the frontal.

An antependium (from Latin ante- and pendēre "to hang before"; pl: antependia), also known as a parament or hanging, or, when speaking specifically of the hanging for the altar, an altar frontal (Latin: pallium altaris), is a decorative piece, usually of textile, but also metalwork, stone or other material that can adorn a Christian altar, lectern, pulpit, or table (as opposed to the vestments worn by the minister or priest). Specifically, and as the etymology of the word suggests, an antependium hangs down in front of whatever it covers, and is to be distinguished from the altar linens which are used in the service of the Eucharist, and an altar cloth which covers the top of the altar table (mensa).