Reredos

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈɹiə.dɒs/

Definitions

1. A richly embellished panel positioned behind an altar that serves to enhance religious settings through artistry and significance
2. A decorative backpiece located at the altar's rear, contributing to both the spiritual ambiance and visual splendor of worship spaces
3. A decorative structure placed behind an altar that serves to elevate the visual appeal and significance of a place of worship through artistic expression

Etymology: The term emerged in English around the late Middle Ages, specifically in the 15th century, when church architecture and decoration became increasingly elaborate. It refers to a decorative screen or altarpiece placed behind the altar in a church. Its role was both practical and symbolic: it framed the altar visually and often depicted religious scenes or figures to inspire devotion. The word itself is a compound formed from the Middle English prefix "re-" meaning "again" or "back," combined with "redos," a variant of "do," meaning "to do" or "to make." Thus, it literally suggests something “done again” or “set back.” This points to its position physically behind the altar, essentially something made or placed anew behind the primary structure. Tracing further back, the prefix "re-" comes from Latin, while "dos" or "do" is rooted in Old English and Germanic origins, related to the verb "to do." The unusual combination in this term reflects the blend of Latin ecclesiastical influence and Germanic linguistic foundation characteristic of Middle English vocabulary. Interestingly, the term is somewhat specialized and remains mostly confined to ecclesiastical and architectural contexts, preserving its somewhat archaic flavor. Unlike more common church-related words, it did not undergo major semantic shifts but retained its original architectural sense from its first English usage.

Synonyms: altar screen, tabernacle