altar

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A table or similar flat-topped structure used for religious rites.

   To hawke, or els to hunt From the auter to the funt, Wyth cry unreverent, Before the sacrament, Wythin the holy church bowndis, That of our fayth the grownd is.

2. 2
   noun

   Any (real or notional) place where something is worshipped or sacrificed to.

   […]now marking the end of ascetic rationalism, the monadology no longer implied a sacrifice of individuality on the altar of rationality.

3. 3
   noun

   a raised structure on which gifts or sacrifices to a god are made

4. 4
   noun

   the table in Christian churches where communion is given

5. 5
   noun

   A raised area around an altar in a church; the sanctuary.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English auter, inherited from Old English altar and borrowed from Old French auter, both derived from Latin altāre, probably related to adolere (“burn”); thus "burning place", influenced by altus (“high”). Displaced native Middle English wēved.