ALTAR • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Altar

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/ˈɔltər/ Listen

noun

Altar n.

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."

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

See images of 'Altar'

Etymology of 'Altar'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Altar" Quotes from Famous Books

... "A third altar—to Mercury the hastener!" exclaimed Sergius. "Quick now! with the knees!" and, pressing the flanks of his Cappadocian, both animals bounded forward into ...

— The Lion's Brood • Duffield Osborne

... later, in the dusk of the evening, there crept into the church a little figure familiar to the painted saints and the waxen Virgin. But to-day it wore a changed aspect. It moved slowly at first, reluctantly; the brilliant little face was pale; the eyes wild with torture. A moment it stood before the altar, and then flung up its arms with ...

— The Pretty Sister Of Jose - 1889 • Frances Hodgson Burnett

... other, engaged in a bloody war, arose as one man, friend and foe together, and marched to the front of the church and kneeled together, Confederate by Federal, their muskets joining and crossing each other; their revolvers touching each other as they kneeled; their heads bowed upon the same altar, and their tears mingling almost in their deep contrition and profound feeling. All animosities were forgotten, all strife forgotten—they were together as brothers ...

— Buchanan's Journal of Man, August 1887 - Volume 1, Number 7 • Various

... simple, plain rustic life, Yet charming in sooth was her beauty. In her untutored heart was love ever rife, The seat of no conflict, no struggle or strife 'Twixt a selfish will and duty. I bow at her altar of beauty and truth, At the shrine of her heart do I kneel, With a prayer no mortal ever lifted above, Till my soul is atune with the music of love She sings to the ...

— The Loom of Life • Cotton Noe

... to this world of ours, though he take the form of an old, old man with a peaceful face—but with eyes which can flash once more with a light which is not of earth, and with lips upon which, for one last mighty effort, has been laid a coal from off the altar of the great ...

— On Christmas Day In The Evening • Grace Louise Smith Richmond

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