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.

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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.

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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.

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

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

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Related Words

• shrine