Main Entry: al·tar

Pronunciation: \ˈȯl-tər\

Function: noun

Usage: often attributive

Etymology: Middle English alter, from Old English altar, from Latin altare; probably akin to Latin adolēre to burn up

Date: before 12th century

1 : a usually raised structure or place on which sacrifices are offered or incense is burned in worship —often used figuratively to describe a thing given great or undue precedence or value especially at the cost of something else <sacrificed his family life on the altar of career advancement>
2 : a table on which the eucharistic elements are consecrated or which serves as a center of worship or ritual