altar

Noun
US[awl-ter]/ˈɔltɚ/2 syllables
Synonyms: communion tableLord's table

Open English WordNet

Noun (2)altars

  1. the table in Christian churches where communion is givenSynonyms: communion tableLord's tableType of table
  2. a raised structure on which gifts or sacrifices to a god are madeType of structure, constructionKinds high altar
Word of the day · Oct 6About this word
spuriousadjective

What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz

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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Al′tar (…), noun

Origin: OE. alter, auter, autier, fr. L. altare, pl. altaria, altar, prob. fr. altus high: cf. OF. alter, autier, F. autel. Cf. Altitude.

1. A raised structure (as a square or oblong erection of stone or wood) on which sacrifices are offered or incense burned to a deity.

Noah builded an altar unto the Lord.— Gen. viii. 20.

2. In the Christian church, a construction of stone, wood, or other material for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist; the communion table.

☞ Altar is much used adjectively, or as the first part of a compound; as, altar bread or altar-bread.

Altar cloth or Altar-cloth, the cover for an altar in a Christian church, usually richly embroidered. — Altar cushion, a cushion laid upon the altar in a Christian church to support the service book. — Altar frontal. See Frontal. — Altar rail, the railing in front of the altar or communion table. — Altar screen, a wall or partition built behind an altar to protect it from approach in the rear. — Altar tomb, a tomb resembling an altar in shape, etc. — Family altar, place of family devotions. — To lead (as a bride) to the altar, to marry; — said of a woman.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

The Devil's Dictionary

ALTAR, n. The place whereupon the priest formerly raveled out the small intestine of the sacrificial victim for purposes of divination and cooked its flesh for the gods. The word is now seldom used, except with reference to the sacrifice of their liberty and peace by a male and a female tool.

They stood before the altar and supplied The fire themselves in which their fat was fried. In vain the sacrifice! -- no god will claim An offering burnt with an unholy flame. M.P. Nopput

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