reredos

Meaning

1. A screen or decoration behind the altar in a church, usually depicting religious iconography or images, akin to the iconostasis of the Eastern Churches.
2. The back of an open fire-hearth, in medieval halls.

Synonyms

altarpiece

Translations

retable

retablo

retaule

retablo

retábulo

Retabel

εικονοστάσιο

dossale

الحاجز المزخرف

retrotabulum

retabulum

retrotabula

altaarstuk

retaule

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɹiɹ.dɒs/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: reredos

In summary

From Middle English reredos, from Anglo-Norman reredos, areredos; equivalent to rere (“rear”) + French dos (“back”).