ˈrerəˌdäs also ˈrirəˌd- sometimes ˈri(ə)rˌd- or ˈriəˌd- noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English, modification of Anglo-French areredos, from Middle French arere, arrere behind, backward + dos back, from Latin dorsum — more at arrear
1.
a. : a screen or partition wall usually ornamental and of wood or stone located behind an altar
a high altar with a vast late Gothic reredos — Nikolaus Pevsner
b. : choir screen
2. obsolete : a wall drapery back of an altar
3. : the back of a fireplace or in some ancient halls of an open hearth immediately under the louver in the center of the hall
4. : brazier
no suggestion of fire in the reredos — T.B.Costain