parclose

plural parcloses · alternative paraclose · alternative perclose

1. A partition that closes off part of a building; especially one that separates an altar or chapel from the rest of a church.

   The two eastern bays of this aisle form the Golafre chapel and are inclosed by modern parcloses of oak[…]

   1906, Peter Hampson Ditchfield, William Page, John Hautenville Cope, The Victoria History of Berkshire

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   It is divided from the north aisle by the great screen, and from the chancel by a parclose of rather poor and spindling work.

   1910, Devonshire Association for the Advancement of Science, Literature and Art, Report and Transactions of the Devonshire Association for the Advancement of Science, Literature and Art, page 194

2. obsoleteAn enclosed area, especially one separated from the main body of a building by a screen or partition.

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   Thenne syr Percyual aspyed that therin was a man or a woman / for the vysage was couerd / thenne he left of his lokyng and herd his seruyse / And whan hit came to the sacrynge / he that lay within that Percloos dressid hym vp and vncouerd his heede / and thenne hym besemed a passynge old man / and he had a crowne of gold vpon his hede "Then Sir Percivale espied that therein was a man or a woman, for the visage was covered; then he left off his looking and heard his service. And when it came to the sacring, he that lay within that parclose dressed him up, and uncovered his head; and then him beseemed a passing old man, and he had a crown of gold upon his head"

   1485, Sir Thomas Malory, “Tercium”, in Le Morte Darthur, book XIV