altarage

[ awl-ter-ij ]

noun

1. Ecclesiastical.
   1. offerings made upon an altar of a church.
   2. offerings made to a church.
2. an honorarium paid to a priest for services at the altar from offerings and gifts.
3. endowments for the saying of Masses for deceased persons, often at a particular altar.

Word History and Origins

Origin of altarage¹

1350–1400; Middle English awterage < Anglo-French, Old French auterage. See altar, -age

Example Sentences

The Vicar of Rothwell, for the maintenance of himself and a fellow-priest, shall have all the altarage with a competent manse.

From Project Gutenberg