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altar Definition

al·tar (ôltər)

noun

  1. a place, esp. a raised platform, where sacrifices or offerings are made to a god, an ancestor, etc.
  2. a table, stand, etc. used for sacred purposes in a place of worship, as the Communion table in Christian churches

Etymology: ME alter < OE altare & OFr alter; both < L altare, high altar < altus, high: see altitude

altar Idioms

lead to the altar

to marry

altar Synonyms

altar

n.

altar table, Communion table, shrine, chantry, tabernacle, baptismal font, reredos, sacrificial stone, platform, elevation for offerings, retable, scroll box.

altar Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • incense: Then the holy place wherein was the altar of incense.
  • offering: Also a fragment of an altar of offerings of black granite, but unfortunately no name remaining on it.

Converse of object

  • erect: Each unit would erect a new altar to the deity on the edge of the parade ground.
  • inscribe: Comprised of three inscribed altars dedicated to a god called Mithras by Roman officers, it is one of the best preserved in Britain.
  • dedicate: Comprised of three inscribed altars dedicated to a god called Mithras by Roman officers, it is one of the best preserved in Britain.
  • carve: A stained glass window, left, depicts poets and musicians, and there is a carved wood altar and mosaic screen.
  • decorate: In many villages they were also used to decorate the altar of the church at Eastertime.

Adjective modifier

  • sacrificial: In the courtyard stood the sacrificial altar, which had statues on either side.
  • brazen: Secondly, ACCEPTANCE at the brazen altar within the court.
  • golden: Philo explains that the offerings of frankincense laid on the golden altar in the Inner Temple were more holy than the blood offered outside.

Modifies a noun

  • tomb: Chest Tombs Although similar to altar tombs, the flat slab is enclosed by stone paneling.
  • frontal: Also on display throughout the day were our new chasubles and altar frontals.
  • cloth: No removal of hard wax from altar cloths, floors, chairs, garments or ears.
  • rail: Three steps up to altar with altar rails on second step.
  • server: To organize diocesan events for altar servers aimed at raising their awareness of vocation.

Noun used with modifier

  • chantry: An image niche containing a modern madonna marks the site of a chantry altar for the guild of St Mary.
  • thine: I'le rather quench the flames of my desire, Then at thine Altar languish and expire.
  • nave: The nave altar is just visible on the far right.
  • pagan: A 3rd century Roman pagan altar was also recently found on the site.
  • bronze: They came in and stood beside the bronze altar.
altar Quotes

  Milton! thou shouldst be living at this hour: England hath need of thee: she is a fen Of stagnant waters: altar, sword and pen, Fireside, the heroic wealth of hall and bower, Have forfeited their ancient English dower Of inward happiness.We are selfish men; Oh! raise us up, return to us again; And give us manners, virtue, freedom, power. Thy soul was like a star, and dwelt apart; Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea: Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free, So didst thou travel on life's common way, In cheerful godliness; and yet thy heart The lowliest duties on herself did lay.

—Wordsworth,William

A broken Altar, Lord, thy servant rears, Made of a heart, and cemented with tears.

—Herbert, George

Ever at Thy glowing altar Must my heart grow sick and falter, Wishing He I served were black.

—Cullen, Countee

As a god self-slain on his own strange altar, Death lies dead.

—Swinburne, Algernon Charles

A nosotros nos ensen‹  aron a respetar la iglesia, a no toser, a no escupir en el atrio, a no lavar la ropa en el altar y no es as |¤ : la vida rompe las religiones. We were taught respect for the church, no hawking and spitting on porticos, don't soak your socks on the altarö but things are different: life smashes religions.

—Basoalto

Browse dictionary entries near altar

  1. Altamira
  2. Altair
  3. Altaic
  4. Alta
  5. alt
  6. also-ran
  7. also known as
  8. also
  9. alsike
  10. Alsatian
  1. altar boy
  2. altar rail
  3. altarpiece
  4. altazimuth
  5. Altdorf
  6. alter
  7. alter ego
  8. alter idem
  9. alteration
  10. alterative