[ 'ɔ:ltə , 'ɒl- ]
■ noun the table in a Christian church at which the bread and wine are consecrated in communion services.
↘a table or flat-topped block used as the focus for a religious ritual.
Phrases
lead to the ~ marry (a woman).
Origin
OE ~ , alter , based on late L. ~ , ~ium , from L. altus 'high'.