altar

noun ahl-TAHR Rare

Origin: From Latin 'altare'.

Usage Note

Altar is used in both Catholic ritual contexts (el altar mayor, the high altar) and the figurative sense of putting something on a pedestal: poner algo en un altar. The phrase llevar al altar means 'to walk (someone) down the aisle' (to marry). Day of the Dead ofrendas are set up on home altars, making the word culturally resonant beyond formal religion.

Examples

"El sacerdote se acercó al altar para celebrar la misa."

Natural Translation

The priest approached the altar to celebrate mass.

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