REREDORTER Meaning and
Definition
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The term "reredorter" refers to a specific feature within medieval architecture, particularly in monastic settings. It is primarily used to describe a communal toilet or latrine area, usually found within a monastery or abbey. Derived from the French words "rere" meaning "behind" or "rear" and "dorter" meaning "dormitory," the reredorter can be understood as the rear or situated behind the dormitory.
In medieval times, monastic communities sought to establish self-contained environments that catered to the various needs of its members. The reredorter played a crucial role in this regard, providing a specified facility for bodily functions. Often located at the back of the dormitory, the reredorter was generally constructed over a watercourse or stream to facilitate waste management. It typically featured multiple individual seats or openings arranged in rows, often made of wood or stone, allowing several individuals to use the facility simultaneously.
Given the limited nature of sanitation technology during the Middle Ages, the reredorter was undoubtedly a practical solution to addressing basic hygiene needs. However, it must be noted that privacy and cleanliness standards were significantly different from contemporary expectations. The reredorter serves as a reminder of the architectural and social context of medieval communities, offering insights into their way of life and the importance they attached to communal living arrangements.
Common Misspellings for REREDORTER
- eeredorter
- deredorter
- feredorter
- teredorter
- 5eredorter
- 4eredorter
- rwredorter
- rsredorter
- rdredorter
- rrredorter
- r4redorter
- r3redorter
- reeedorter
- rededorter
- refedorter
- retedorter
- re5edorter
- re4edorter
- rerwdorter
- rersdorter
Etymology of REREDORTER
The word "reredorter" is derived from Middle English and has origins in Old French. It is a compound word consisting of two parts: "rere" and "dorter".
The first part, "rere", comes from the Old French word "rere" meaning "behind" or "at the back". It evolved from the Latin word "retro", which shares the same meaning. The word "rere" was often used to indicate something located at the back of a building.
The second part, "dorter", is derived from the Old French word "dortoir", which means "dormitory". This word can be traced back to the Latin word "dormitorium", also meaning "dormitory". In medieval monasteries, a "dorter" referred to the sleeping quarters of the monks or nuns.
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