altar
[ awl-ter ]
/ ˈɔl tər /
noun
an elevated place or structure, as a mound or platform at which religious rites are performed or on which sacrifices are offered to gods, ancestors, etc.
Ecclesiastical. communion table.
Altar, Astronomy. the constellation Ara.
(in a dry dock) a ledge for supporting the feet of shorings.
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Idioms for altar
lead to the altar, to marry: After a five-year courtship, he led her to the altar.
Origin of altar
First recorded before 1000; Middle English alter, altar, auter, Old English altar, altare, alter; (compare Middle Dutch outaer, Old Saxon, Old Norse altari, Old High German altāri ), from Latin altāria (the more frequently used plural of altāre used in a singular sense), of disputed origin and formation, but probably akin to Latin adolēre “to make a burnt offering, cremate,” Umbrian uřetu “let it burn, set incense on the fire”
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH altar
altar , alterWords nearby altar
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for altar
British Dictionary definitions for altar
altar
/ (ˈɔːltə) /
noun
a raised place or structure where sacrifices are offered and religious rites performed
(in Christian churches) the communion table
a step in the wall of a dry dock upon which structures supporting a vessel can stand
lead to the altar informal to marry
Word Origin for altar
Old English, from Latin altāria (plural) altar, from altus high
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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