DictionaryAI

altar

noun
AWL-tur/ˈɔl.tɚ/UKOL-tuh/ˈɒl.tə/

Pluralaltars

3 meanings of altar

Practice

  1. 1
    nouncountable
    A table or other flat-topped structure used in religious rites and ceremonies.

    The ancient temple held a marble altar at its center.

    Pilgrims left offerings on the altar throughout the festival.

  2. 2
    nounfigurativelycountable
    A real or notional place where something is worshipped, or to which sacrifices are made, treated as worthy of any cost.

    Whole forests were felled on the altar of progress.

    She refused to lay her principles on the altar of convenience.

  3. 3
    nouncolloquialcountable
    The raised area surrounding the altar in a church; the sanctuary.

    The bishop led the procession toward the altar at the start of Mass.

    Guests filled the pews while the priest waited at the altar.

    Similarsanctuary, chancel

Practice

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Origin

This word came into English both from Old English altar and from Old French auter, which both go back to Latin altāre. That Latin word was probably related to adolere ("burn"), giving the sense of a "burning place", and was influenced by altus ("high"). It replaced the native Middle English word wēved.