1. Plural of paten: a shallow dish or plate, typically made of precious metal, used in religious ceremonies to hold bread during the Eucharist or Communion.
Usage: religious/liturgical context; usually used in plural form

Examples

• The priest placed the consecrated bread on one of the silver patens.
• The church's collection of ornate patens dates back several centuries.
• During the service, the deacon carefully handled the patens containing the Eucharistic bread.
• The patens were polished and prepared before the morning Mass.