iconostasis (redirected from iconostases)

i·co·nos·ta·sis  (k-nst-ss)

n. pl. i·co·nos·ta·ses (-sz)

The screen decorated with icons that divides the sanctuary from the nave of an Eastern Orthodox church.

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[From Medieval Greek eikonostasion, shrine : eikono-, icono- + Greek stasis, a standing; see st- in Indo-European roots.]

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iconostasis [ˌaɪkəʊˈnɒstəsɪs], iconostas [aɪˈkɒnəˌstæs]

n pl iconostases [ˌaɪkəʊˈnɒstəˌsiːz aɪˈkɒnəˌstæsɪz]

(Christianity / Eastern Church (Greek & Russian Orthodox)) Eastern Church a screen with doors and icons set in tiers, which separates the bema (sanctuary) from the nave

[Church Latin, from Late Greek eikonostasion shrine, literally: area where images are placed, from icono- + histanai to stand]