reredos: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal, Technical, Ecclesiastical
Quick answer
What does “reredos” mean?
A decorative screen or wall structure behind an altar in a church.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A decorative screen or wall structure behind an altar in a church.
A richly decorated altarpiece or ornamental panel placed at the back of an altar, often featuring religious imagery, sculpture, or architectural elements.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is used identically in both dialects but is primarily known in specialist circles. UK usage may be marginally more common due to historical church architecture discussions.
Connotations
Carries connotations of traditional ecclesiastical art and architecture, historical preservation, and religious ceremony.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday speech in both dialects; almost exclusively found in academic, architectural, or church-related texts.
Grammar
How to Use “reredos” in a Sentence
the reredos of [church name]a reredos depicting [scene]a reredos carved from [material]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in art history, architectural history, and religious studies texts to describe specific church furnishings.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Standard term in ecclesiastical architecture, church conservation, and heritage cataloguing.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “reredos”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reredos”
- Mispronouncing as 'ree-red-os' or 'rear-dos'.
- Confusing it with a 'rood screen', which separates nave from chancel.
- Using it to refer to any church decoration.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency term used almost exclusively in specific contexts like art history, architecture, and church affairs.
The terms are often used synonymously, though 'reredos' can imply a larger, more architectural structure, sometimes integral to the wall, while 'altarpiece' may refer more specifically to a painted or carved panel.
The term is specific to Christian church architecture, particularly in Anglican, Catholic, and some other liturgical traditions.
It originates from the Anglo-Norman French 'areredos', from 'arere' (behind) + 'dos' (back), from Latin 'dorsum'.
A decorative screen or wall structure behind an altar in a church.
Reredos is usually formal, technical, ecclesiastical in register.
Reredos: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrɪə.rɪ.dɒs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrɪr.ɪ.dɑːs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “none”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: REaR + DOS (like 'back' in Spanish 'dorsal') = the structure at the REaR of the altar.
Conceptual Metaphor
The reredos is a visual backdrop or 'stage set' for the sacred drama of the altar.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'reredos'?