reredos
[reer-dos, reer-i-, rair-i-]
noun
a screen or a decorated part of the wall behind an altar in a church.
the back of a fireplace or of a medieval open hearth.
Origin of reredos
1325–75; Middle English, alteration of Anglo-French areredos, equivalent to Middle French arere behind (see arrear) + dos back (< Latin dorsum)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for reredos
Historical Examples of reredos
Like most Flemish productions, the reredos is wanting in grace.
Portuguese ArchitectureWalter Crum Watson
This reredos is in the chapel on the south of the Capella Mor.
Portuguese ArchitectureWalter Crum Watson
Traces of colour are to be seen in the reredos and the roof over it.
Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Gloucester [2nd ed.]H. J. L. J. Mass
The floor has some interesting tiles and the reredos has been painted.
The Cathedrals of Great BritainP. H. Ditchfield
The triptych which forms the reredos was carved at Ober Ammergau.
The Cathedrals of Great BritainP. H. Ditchfield
reredos
noun
Word Origin for reredos
C14: from Old French areredos, from arere behind + dos back, from Latin dorsum
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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