iconostasis

noun ico·nos·ta·sis \ˌī-kə-ˈnäs-tə-səs, (ˌ)ī-ˈkä-nə-ˌstä-səs\

plural ico·nos·ta·ses\-ˌsēz\

Definition of ICONOSTASIS

: a screen or partition with doors and tiers of icons that separates the bema from the nave in Eastern churches

modification of Middle Greek eikonostasion, from Late Greek, shrine, from Greek eikono- + -stasion (from histanai to stand) — more at stand

First Known Use: 1833

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