altar

Where does the word "altar" come from? It comes from Latin altare, and was adopted directly into English (1000s).

Altar’s story begins in Latin: altare meant “a raised platform for sacrifice.” A raised structure for sacrifice or offering, from altus (high). It reached English by 1000s as altar. Settled as the English word for a raised structure used in religious ritual. Today, altar means a raised structure used as a focus for religious ritual, especially for offerings.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient altare "a raised platform for sacrifice", a raised structure for sacrifice or offering, from altus (high).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1000s altar "a raised structure used for religious ritual or offering", settled as the English word for a raised structure used in religious ritual.