http://www.raley.com/paternoster.gif
Quite simply, any rig where a weight is placed at the terminial end of the fishing line, and any number of hooks are suspended above it.
The advantage of the rig is that it allows baits to supend above the seabed, allows more than one baited hook to present and keeps the weight away from the bait for picky fish.
The hook lead can be attached either via a swivel attached with a Cinch Knot, or by attaching it directly to the line via a dropper loop