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definitions

altar rail

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

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 of altar rail

  • 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