reredos

noun

rere·dos

ˈrer-ə-ˌdäs,

also ˈrir-ə-ˌdäs,

or

: a usually ornamental wood or stone screen or partition wall behind an altar

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Restorer Sofia Lobo discovered the bee nests, called cells, while cleaning the 20-foot-tall altarpiece, or reredos. —

Theresa Machemer, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Feb. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reredos.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French reredors, areredos, from arere behind + dos back, from Latin dorsum — more at arrear

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of reredos was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Reredos.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reredos. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

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