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. 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

He also helped conserve the centuries-old reredos at the local church, where many children come back for traditional Christmas and Easter prayers – giving hope that younger generations will learn to be attached to their church.

From Seattle Times

To prepare for the abatement, all open surfaces in the church must be covered, including the pipe organ on the balcony and the high altar, or reredos, which holds the tabernacle.

From Washington Times

He blends piety and passion in the most mystically amorous fashion; with the cantando expressivo in D, begins some lovely music, secular in spirit, mayhap intended by its creator for reredos and pyx.

From Project Gutenberg

The retablo of the High Altar is in character, articulate and graceful, unlike the usual, overladen reredos of Spain.

From Project Gutenberg

The painting or piece of sculpture above and behind the altar; reredos.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• shrine