altar

noun

AWL-tur/ˈɔl.tɚ/UKOL-tuh/ˈɒl.tə/

3 meanings of altar

1
nouncountable
A flat-topped table used for religious ceremonies and offerings.
Like a special table where people pray or leave gifts for a god.
The priest lit candles on the altar before the service.
Worshippers placed fresh flowers around the small altar.
2
nounfigurativelycountable
A real or imagined place where something matters so much that other things are given up for it.
Like giving up something you love to get something you want even more.
He sacrificed his free time on the altar of his career.
They gave up their privacy on the altar of fame.
3
nouncolloquialcountable
The raised space at the front of a church, around the altar.
Like the special raised part at the front of a church where services happen.
The couple walked up to the altar to exchange their vows.
The children gathered at the altar for a blessing.
Similarsanctuary, chancel

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Latin altāre, which was probably linked to a word meaning "burn", so it meant "burning place". It reached English through Old English and Old French.