Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - altar

n. 1 a table or flat-topped block, often of stone, for sacrifice or offering to a deity. 2 a Communion-table. Phrases and idioms altar boy a boy who serves as a priest's assistant in a service. lead to the altar marry (a woman). Etymology: OE altar -er, Gmc adoption of LL altar, altarium f. L altaria (pl.) burnt offerings, altar, prob. rel. to adolere burn in sacrifice