reredos

[ reer-dos, reer-i-, rair-i- ]

noun

1. a screen or a decorated part of the wall behind an altar in a church.
2. the back of a fireplace or of a medieval open hearth.

reredos

/ ˈrɪədɒs /

noun

1. a screen or wall decoration at the back of an altar, in the form of a hanging, tapestry, painting, or piece of metalwork or sculpture
2. See fireback
   another word for fireback

Word History and Origins

Origin of reredos¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, alteration of Anglo-French areredos, equivalent to Middle French arere “behind” + dos “back” (from Latin dorsum ); arrears

Word History and Origins

Origin of reredos¹

C14: from Old French areredos , from arere behind + dos back, from Latin dorsum

Example Sentences

On the north side is part of a fourteenth-century reredos, probably that which stood behind the high altar.

From Project Gutenberg

Traces of colour are to be seen in the reredos and the roof over it.

From Project Gutenberg

There is a good tower-arch, a five-shafted font, and excellent wagon-shaped roofs; chancel-screen and reredos are modern.

From Project Gutenberg

In the Lutheran churches, though the Mass was gone, reredos and crucifix remained untouched.

From Project Gutenberg

He became a constant guest at the castle, and Lady Montfort presented his church with a reredos of alabaster.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• shrine