Altar
['ɔːltə;'ɒl-] or ['ɔltɚ]
Definition
(noun.) a raised structure on which gifts or sacrifices to a god are made.
(noun.) the table in Christian churches where communion is given.
Edited by Clio--From WordNet
Definition
(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.
(n.) In the Christian church, a construction of stone, wood, or other material for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist; the communion table.
Editor: Orville
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Sacrificial structure.[2]. Shrine, sacred place, place of worship.[3]. Communion-table.
Editor: Sheldon
Definition
n. an elevated place or structure block or stone or the like on which sacrifices were anciently offered: in Christian churches the table on which the officiating priest consecrates the eucharist: the communion table: (fig.) a place of worship.—ns. Alt′arage offerings made upon the altar during the offertory provided for the maintenance of the priest; Alt′ar-cloth the covering of the altar placed over and around it of silk velvet satin or cloth often used as including the frontal (antependium) and the super-frontal; Alt′arpiece a decorative screen retable or reredos placed behind an altar—a work of art whether a sacred painting or sculpture.—n.pl. Alt′ar-rails rails separating the sacrarium from the rest of the chancel.—ns. Alt′ar-stone the slab forming the top or chief part of an altar; Alt′ar-tomb a monumental memorial in form like an altar often with a canopy. These were often placed over the vaults or burying-place and frequently on the north and south walls of choirs aisles and chantry chapels.—adj. Alt′arwise placed like an altar—north and south at the upper end of the chancel.—Family altar the practice or the place of private devotional worship in the family; High altar the principal altar in a cathedral or other church having more than one altar; Portable altar a small tablet of marble jasper or precious stone used by special license for Mass when said away from the parish altar in oratories or other similar places. It was termed super-altare because commonly placed upon some other altar or some fitting construction of wood or stone.
Inputed by Barnard
Unserious Contents or Definition
To dream of seing{sic} a priest at the altar, denotes quarrels and unsatisfactory states in your business and home. To see a marriage, sorrow to friends, and death to old age. An altar would hardly be shown you in a dream, accept to warn you against the commission of error. Repentance is also implied.
Edited by Christine
Unserious Contents or Definition
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.
Inputed by Jeff
Examples
- In this place is an altar dedicated to St. Dimas, the penitent thief. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- In the midst of all this magnificence, the solid gold and silver furniture of the altar seemed cheap and trivial. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- Mr. Dick, who is to give my darling to me at the altar, has had his hair curled. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- Near the center of the clearing, and not far from the drum, or altar, he commenced to dig. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- They had risen to their feet, and were standing looking at that solemn altar, so noble in its hugeness amid the encircling green. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- Never to the altar of Hymen with Sam Wynne. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Veneering has been in their confidence throughout, and has done much to lure them to the altar. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- How many brides go to the altar with hearts that would bear inspection by the men who take them there? Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- My marriage being thus solemnly recognized at the family altar, I have no further trouble on that score. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- As best man, he would be standing beside the altar. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- There is a narrow path leading to it—a glade near the western pass, in the center of which is an altar inscribed Θε?ν. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- What Jesus preached was a new birth of the human soul; what Paul preached was the ancient religion of priest and altar and propitiatory bloodshed. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- THE ALTAR INSCRIBED ΘΕ?Ν. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- Did I not give from the altar the very flame which lit Eva's being? Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- The truth was, she had attended too many brides to the altar: when next seen there she meant to be the chief figure in the ceremony. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- Its widespread altars were all addressed to the unseen universal Trinity. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Many of them are supposed to have been used in the performance of some of the startling religious rites at the altars of the Greek priests. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- Temples have been reared to the Sun--altars dedicated to the Moon. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
Checked by Conan