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Glite Dictionary
rood-tree

rood-tree

9.9
A picture or carving of the cross where Jesus died
  • noun
  • /ˈruːdˌtriː/
  • Archaic
translation icon : cruz
  • The ancient church still displays a carved rood-tree above its altar.

Examples

  • A beautifully painted rood-tree was found during the cathedral's restoration.

  • Medieval poets often wrote about the sacred rood-tree in their verses.

  • The church featured a stunning rood-tree above the altar.

  • Many artists have painted the rood-tree in various styles.

  • The ancient church still displays a carved rood-tree above its altar.

  • A beautifully painted rood-tree was found during the cathedral's restoration.

  • Medieval poets often wrote about the sacred rood-tree in their verses.

Synonyms

rood
vsrood-tree
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A large decorated cross displayed in a church above the altar

is focused on depiction in literature and art rather than church ornament
cross of Calvary
vsrood-tree
9.9

A cross on three steps that represents the hill where Jesus died on a cross

is a general cross image not limited to that stepped symbolic form

Surface Forms

rood-tree singular
rood-trees plural

Morphology

rood-tree = rood + tree (opaque) = rood + tree

The term 'rood-tree' is a historical and artistic reference, not immediately derivable from the meanings of 'rood' and 'tree'.

Etymology

Rood-tree comes from the Old English word rood meaning 'cross' and the everyday word tree meaning 'tree'. So a rood-tree is literally a 'cross-tree', a wooden cross often shown in churches, which is why it means a picture or model of the cross on which Jesus was crucified.