Bible Encyclopedias
Dorsal

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Search for…

Enter query below:

or

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Prev Entry
Dorrien, Patrick, D.D.

Next Entry
Dorsche, Johann Georg

Resource Toolbox

Print Article

Additional Links

Dictionaries
1910 New Catholic Dictionary
• Dorsal
Webster Dictionary
• Dorsally
• Dorsale
• Dorsal
Encyclopedias
McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia
• Dorsal

(or Dossal) (Lat. dorsum, and Fr. dos, "the back").

(1) The hinder part of a stall.

(2) The hanging behind the choir stalls, or an altar, and rendered tapecium. It is made of satin or damask, and should have a representation of the Crucifixion embroidered on it; or, if there be a crucifix on the altar, there should be depicted one of the joyful mysteries. At St. Alban's, at the close of the 11th century, it was wrought with the martyrdom of the saint; and two others, in the 12th. century, represented the Prodigal Son and the Traveller who Fell among Thieves. Some heraldic tapestries were in use behind the stalls of Exeter. Possibly dorsals were the origin of the linen pattern on panelling.