| a screen, often of elaborate design and properly surmounted by a rood, separating the nave from the choir or chancel of a church. |
| rood screen n. In medieval churches, an often openwork wall-like screen separating the choir from the nave and extending upward to the rood beam. |
rood screen
in Western architecture, element of a Christian church of the Middle Ages or early Renaissance that separated the choir or chancel (the area around the altar) from the nave (the area set apart for the laity). The rood screen was erected in association with the rood, which in Old English means "cross," or "crucifix."
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