Meted out beside altarpieces (5)
I believe the answer is:
dealt
'meted out' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dealt that I've seen before include "Traded" , "Gave out playing cards" , "Delivered" , "Delta (anag.)" , "Dispensed (cards)" .)