paten

Etymology

From Middle English patene, from Old French patene, from Latin patina, from Ancient Greek πατάνη (patánē). Doublet of patina, patine, and patena.

noun

1. (Christianity) The plate used to hold the host during the Eucharist.
   An enameled miniature of Christ is set in the center of a jeweled alabaster paten, the plate that holds the bread during Communion services. 1980, Colin Thubron, Seafarers: The Venetians, page 41
2. (archaeology) Any shallow dish found in an archaeological site.