reredos Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a painted or carved screen placed above and behind an altar or communion table
    altarpiece.

WordNet

Rere"dos noun
Etymology
From rear + F. dos back, L. dorsum. Cf. Dorsal.
Definitions
  1. (Arch.) (a) A screen or partition wall behind an altar. (b) The back of a fireplace. (c) The open hearth, upon which fires were lighted, immediately under the louver, in the center of ancient halls. Also spelt reredosse. Fairholt.

Webster 1913