altar
Ceremony's focal point
An altar is a raised structure or table used for religious rituals, sacrifice, or worship.
Churches have altars where communion is celebrated; ancient temples had altars where animals were sacrificed to gods.
To lead someone to the altar is to marry them.
To sacrifice something on the altar of another thing is to give it up in pursuit of that goal: He sacrificed his health on the altar of ambition.
Giving up something precious
- offeringSomething presented or given
- oblationReligious gift offering
- libationCeremonial drink offering
- immolationSacrificial killing, often burning
consecration · dedication · incense · genuflection · procession · elevation · blessing · invocation
Worthy of reverence
- sanctifiedMade sacred through blessing
- consecratedDeclared sacred through ritual
- hallowedMade or regarded holy
- holyDedicated to the divine
blessed · venerated · shrine · sanctuary · worship · devotion · prayer · reverence
Sacred devotional place
- idolObject of worship
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
- burnt offeringSacrifice consumed by flames
- libationCeremonial drink offering
votive · high place · grove · standing stone · Stonehenge · dolmen · ziggurat · heathen
Marriage rite and feast
- matrimonyLegal union of spouses
- nuptialsVows and rings
- vowsSolemn binding promises
- ordinationClergy appointment ceremony
baptism · communion · Eucharist · funeral · memorial · dedication · investiture · coronation
Altar-adjacent clergy space
- naveChurch's main interior
- apseVaulted church recess
- transeptChurch's lateral wing
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
tabernacle · credence · ambo · retable · footpace
Ornate ritual drinking vessel
- patenEucharistic bread dish
- censerVessel for burning aromatics
- crucifixCross with Christ figure
- candelabraMulti-branched candle stand
missal · corporal · monstrance · cruets · frontal · candlestick · reliquary · icon
sacrifice
Giving up something precious
- offeringSomething presented or given
- oblationReligious gift offering
- libationCeremonial drink offering
immolation · consecration · dedication · incense · genuflection · procession · elevation · blessing · invocation · hecatomb
sacred
Worthy of reverence
- sanctifiedMade sacred through blessing
- consecratedDeclared sacred through ritual
- hallowedMade or regarded holy
holy · blessed · venerated · shrine · sanctuary · worship · devotion · prayer · reverence · pilgrimage
shrine
Sacred devotional place
- idolObject of worship
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
- burnt offeringSacrifice consumed by flames
libation · votive · high place · grove · standing stone · Stonehenge · dolmen · ziggurat · heathen · pyre
wedding
Marriage rite and feast
ordination · baptism · communion · Eucharist · funeral · memorial · dedication · investiture · coronation · initiation
chancel
Altar-adjacent clergy space
sanctuary · tabernacle · credence · ambo · retable · footpace
chalice
Ornate ritual drinking vessel
candelabra · missal · corporal · monstrance · cruets · frontal · candlestick · reliquary · icon · rood
- churchnave, pew, pews, pulpit, pulpits
- Iglesiaiglesia, padre, papa, campana, nave
- religionChristianity, Islam, beliefs, Judaism, Hinduism
- Chapelschapel bells, chapel choir, college chapel, hospital chapel, memorial chapel
- sacred placestemple complex, basilica, abbey, church, chapel
- ancient decorurn, vase, amphora, mosaic, fresco
altarmarketplace
Venue for commerce
trading floor · factory floor · office · boardroom · workbench
altartreasury
Stored organizational funds
vault · storehouse · collection plate · offering box · receiving dock
- high altitudeGreat distance upward
- altar serverWorship ceremony assistant
- altar boysYoung liturgical assistants
- left at the altar
- altitude sicknessHypoxia from high elevation
- alto saxE-flat woodwind instrument
altitude, exalt, alto, altars, altarpiece, altarpieces, altar cloth, altar boy, altar server