Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

altarist

noun
Save Word
al·​tar·​ist | \ ˈȯltərə̇st \
plural -s

Definition of altarist

: one that attends at an altar specifically : vicar

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of altarist

circa 1753, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for altarist

Medieval Latin altarista, from Latin altare altar + -ista -ist

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about altarist

Time Traveler for altarist

Time Traveler

The first known use of altarist was circa 1753

See more words from the same year

Statistics for altarist

Cite this Entry

“Altarist.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/altarist. Accessed 14 December 2019.

Comments on altarist

What made you want to look up altarist? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

impugn

Listen to the pronounciation of impugn

to assail by words or arguments

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz

  • scrabble tiles that read scrabble quiz
  • Which of the following Q-without-U words means the number five in cards or dice?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games