# reredos

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɹiə.dɒs/

## Definitions
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 and in some later architecture inspired by them.

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

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/reredos