a partition of stone or wood, often richly carved and decorated, that separates the chancel from the main part of a church: it is surmounted by a crucifix (rood), and was an important feature of medieval churches, though in England many rood screens were destroyed at the Reformation
rood screen in American English
an ornamental screen, usually with a rood above it supported by a beam (rood beam), serving as a partition between the nave and the chancel of a church