ambonoclast

English

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἄμβων (ámbōn, “pulpit”) + -o- +‎ -clast. In reference to the rood screen that separated the choir (where priests were) from the nave (where the congregation was) in a medieval church, and from which was sometimes also read.

Noun

ambonoclast (plural ambonoclasts)

1. (derogatory) One who wishes to excessively modernize churches, particularly by removing traditional screens.
   • 1861, A. Welby Pugin, Recollections of A.N. Welby Pugin, and His Father, Augustus Pugin: With Notices of Their Works, page 153:

     "The principal characteristics of modern ambonoclasts may be summed up as follows:"

   • 1915, Edward Walford et al., The Antiquary, page 331:

     "ambonoclasts who destroyed so much screenwork during the last century ..."

   • 1931, Basil Clarke, Church Builders of the Nineteenth Century: A Study of the Gothic Revival in England, Macmillan, page 66:

     "Wyatt's policy, too, was to remove screens and to open a building from end to end: he was an ambonoclast. "

Derived terms

• ambonoclastic