Definition of: patera

(pat′ər·ə) noun plural ·er·ae (-ər·ē)
1. A shallow, platelike vessel of earthenware, silver, etc., used by the Romans in pouring libations.
2. In architecture and cabinetwork, a small, dishlike ornament, often in bas–relief. [<L <patere lie open]
—pat′er·i·form′ adjective