Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1000-1100
Language: Latin
Origin: altare

altar

 noun
     
al‧tar [countable]
1 a holy table or surface used in religious ceremonies:
a crucifix above the high altar (=the main altar in a church)
The victim was tied to a sacrificial altar.
2TBB the area furthest from the entrance of a church, where the priest or minister stands
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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