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Added 9 October 2026

altar

/ˈɒl.tə/ noun

In Latin: ara, altāre, altar Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about altar at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

The table in Christian churches where communion is given.
A raised structure on which gifts or sacrifices to a god are made.

Origin

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.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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