View synonyms for altar

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

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

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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 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”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of altar¹

Old English, from Latin altāria (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.

Related Words

shrine

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

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