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Glite Dictionary
rood screen

rood screen

9.9
A decorative barrier in a church that separates the main part from the choir and often holds a cross
  • noun
  • /ruːd skriːn/
  • Archaic
translation icon : pantalla de la cruz
  • Visitors admired the imposing rood screen that marked the transition to the choir.

Examples

  • In many historic churches, the rood screen is adorned with intricate designs that enhance the spiritual atmosphere.

  • Many ancient churches have beautifully carved rood screens.

  • During restoration, they discovered medieval paintings hidden behind the old rood screen.

  • The church's rood screen was intricately carved and adorned with gold leaf.

  • The church features a stunning rood screen.

  • The worshippers gazed at the beautiful carvings on the rood screen that separated the choir from the nave.

  • During the service, the priest stood behind the rood screen, creating a sacred space for the ceremony.

Synonyms

screen
vsrood screen
334 2.3

A thin mesh that keeps bugs out while letting air in

is a decorative church partition that separates nave from choir and supports a cross

How Ornate

reredos
  • Specialized
9.9
rood screen
  • Archaic
9.9

Surface Forms

rood screen singular
rood screens plural

Morphology

rood + screen

The noun combines 'rood' (a crucifix or representation of the crucifixion) with 'screen' (a partition), so the idea of a partition associated with or supporting a crucifix is directly derivable from the constituents. Although the term is somewhat specialized and low-frequency, its meaning is compositionally transparent to learners who know both words.

Etymology

Rood screen comes from the old word rood, meaning 'cross', and screen, a divider in a church. It was a decorated barrier that often held a large cross and stood between where the people sat and the altar area, so today it means a decorative screen that marks the entrance to the choir.