Changes

==Etymology==

==Etymology==

[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] alter, from [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._600-1100.09THE_OLD_ENGLISH.2C_OR_ANGLO-SAXON_PERIOD Old English] altar, from [[Latin]] altare; probably akin to Latin adolēre to burn up

[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] alter, from [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._600-1100.09THE_OLD_ENGLISH.2C_OR_ANGLO-SAXON_PERIOD Old English] altar, from [[Latin]] altare; probably akin to Latin adolēre to burn up

*Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/11th_Century before 12th century]

*Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/11th_Century before 12th century]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*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>

*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]]

*2 : a table on which the eucharistic elements are consecrated or which serves as a [[center]] of [[worship]] or [[ritual]]

==Description==

==Description==

An '''altar''' is any [[structure]] upon which offerings such as [[sacrifices]] and votive offerings are made for [[religious]] [[purposes]], or some other [[sacred place]] where ceremonies take place. Altars are usually found at [[shrine]]s, and they can be located in temples, churches and other places of [[worship]]. Today they are used particularly in the [[religions]] of Buddhism, Hinduism, Shinto, Taoism, as well as Christianity, LaVeyan Satanism, Thelema, Neopaganism, and in Ceremonial [[magic]]. Many historical faiths also made use of them, including [[Greek]] and Norse religion.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altar]

An '''altar''' is any [[structure]] upon which offerings such as [[sacrifices]] and votive offerings are made for [[religious]] [[purposes]], or some other [[sacred place]] where ceremonies take place. Altars are usually found at [[shrine]]s, and they can be located in temples, churches and other places of [[worship]]. Today they are used particularly in the [[religions]] of Buddhism, Hinduism, Shinto, Taoism, as well as Christianity, LaVeyan Satanism, Thelema, Neopaganism, and in Ceremonial [[magic]]. Many historical faiths also made use of them, including [[Greek]] and Norse religion.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altar]

[[Category: Religion]]

[[Category: Religion]]

[[Category: Anthropology]]

[[Category: Anthropology]]