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altar rail

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noun
  1. the rail in front of an altar, separating the sanctuary from those parts of the church that are in front of it.
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Origin of altar rail

First recorded in 1855–60
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for altar rail

Historical Examples

  • It was when he advanced to the altar-rail to speak that the man best appeared.

    The Golden House

    Charles Dudley Warner

  • We went on tiptoe towards the altar-rail, and knelt upon the topmost step.

  • Besides the motionless figures at the altar-rail there was no one else in the chapel.

    Great Possessions

    Mrs. Wilfrid Ward

  • She was standing by the font staring at some one who kneeled at the Altar-rail.

    Rewards and Fairies

    Rudyard Kipling

  • Who could fail to observe that pretty hand play, when you two were twining the ivy around the altar-rail?

    Gwen Wynn

    Mayne Reid