View synonyms for

altar

[awl-ter]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

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.
Astronomy.��Altar, the constellation Ara.
(in a dry dock) a ledge for supporting the feet of shorings.

altar

/ ˈɔː��ə /

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
informal��to marry

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Word History and Origins

Origin of altar¹

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 �� ), from Latin ��a (the more frequently used plural of �� used in a singular sense), of disputed origin and formation, but probably akin to Latin ��Ǳ�ŧ�� “to make a burnt offering, cremate,” Umbrian ��ř��ٳ� “let it burn, set incense on the fire”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of altar¹

Old English, from Latin ��a (plural) altar, from altus high

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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

lead to the altar, to marry.
After a five-year courtship, he led her to the altar.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

In the darkened room of this small West Hollywood studio on Santa Monica Boulevard, the bed is Davis’ healing altar, her hands offering sacred care.

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In England during the Reformation it was not only the altars that were stripped, but also sites in the landscape which were associated with animacy.

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In my mind, I saw our hands laced, running on a beach, seagulls flying, the look in our eyes at the altar, the country garden with pickleball roses.

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Standing before an impromptu altar adorned with flowers and photos of América Sánchez dressed up for her "quinceañera", the party marking her 15th birthday, Ms Hernández paid tribute to her daughter.

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The church where Pope Leo XIV attended mass as a child and served as an altar boy is now an empty shell.

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Related Words

shrine��

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Altamonte Springs altarage

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