A cloth used to cover an altar; spec. (a) a cloth of white linen covering the top of the altar during the communion or Mass; (b) an ornamental…

Applied to cloths for various other purposes. Christian Church. A cloth, either of linen for use at communion, or of silk or other rich material…

A curtain; (in later use esp.) one at the end of an altar.

a cloth used at the celebration of the Eucharist; esp. a cloth for the communion table.