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.
Idioms for altar
lead to the altar, to marry: After a five-year courtship, he led her to the altar.
Origin of altar
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”
Under normal circumstances, my family’s Chuseok celebrations are mostly focused on the food and gathering aspects — but still, we’re hit with the realization that those we love could one day be a name before an altar of food we set.
The Meaning of Chuseok During a Pandemic Year|Nina Yun|October 9, 2020|Eater
It also held a large, flat stone like an altar, with traces of human and animal blood.
An Ancient Site with Human Skulls on Display - Issue 89: The Dark Side|Jo Marchant|September 2, 2020|Nautilus
As you drink your coffee you guide your mind back to the opera, the cross-dressing Cain and Abel, the upside-down altar.
The first murder|Katie McLean|August 19, 2020|MIT Technology Review
In a show about single women, Sex and The City was always in a rush to get to the altar—and with a man there waiting.
Why Singles Should Say ‘I Don’t’ to The Self-Marriage Movement|Tim Teeman|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They might be surprised how much money they would save on altar bread.
The Great Divide Facing Pope Francis That Only Catholics Understand|Barbie Latza Nadeau|September 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When Jack was lying on the altar with the stones, that was really hard for me because I got a bit giggly.
Game of Thrones’ Lena Headey on Cersei Lannister’s Future and That Controversial Rape Scene|Marlow Stern|June 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He embraces her and, in a fit of demented anger and frustration, sexually assaults her against the altar of their dead son.
Game of Thrones’ 8 Most WTF Scenes: Twincest Rape, Shadow Baby, George W. Bush’s Head, and More|Marlow Stern|April 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Kingslayer shoves her against the altar of their dead son, and then to the ground beside it.
Game of Thrones’ 8 Most WTF Scenes: Twincest Rape, Shadow Baby, George W. Bush’s Head, and More|Marlow Stern|April 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Turf benches to seat a hundred and fifty worshippers faced the altar.
Pushed and the Return Push|George Herbert Fosdike Nichols, (AKA Quex)
There are several interesting monuments including two altar tombs in the Burrell chantry with fine fifteenth century brasses.
Seaward Sussex|Edric Holmes
They were making cocoa and feeding the boys out of the chalice-cups from the altar.
Leerie|Ruth Sawyer
Wax lights blaze upon the altar—many witnesses are standing round it.
The Continental Monthly, Vol. 6, No 3, September 1864|Various
Both would advance to the altar, and when they were in place, the Duca would come to them.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science, December 1930|Various
British Dictionary definitions for altar
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 altarinformalto marry
Word Origin for altar
Old English, from Latin altāria (plural) altar, from altus high