altar
UK /ˈɒl.tə/ · US /ˈɔl.tɚ/ noun
Forms altars
- noun A table or similar flat-topped structure used for religious rites.
- noun (informal) A raised area around an altar in a church; the sanctuary.
- noun (figurative) Any (real or notional) place where something is worshipped or sacrificed to.
Synonyms
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English auter, inherited from Old English altar and borrowed from Old French auter, both derived from Latin altāre, probably related to adolere (“burn”); thus "burning place", influenced by altus (“high”). Displaced native Middle English wēved.
Webster’s 1913
- noun A raised structure (as a square or oblong erection of stone or wood) on which sacrifices are offered or incense burned to a deity.
- noun In the Christian church, a construction of stone, wood, or other material for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist; the communion table.
Etymology [OE. alter, auter, autier, fr. L. altare, pl. altaria, altar, prob. fr. altus high: cf. OF. alter, autier, F. autel. Cf. Altitude.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “altar”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details