altare

altar

noun al-TAH-reh Rare

Origin: From Latin altare (high place, altar).

Usage Note

Altare is masculine despite ending in -e. The plural gli altari is regular. In religious contexts portare all'altare (to bring to the altar) means to marry someone. The phrase sacrificare sull'altare di (to sacrifice on the altar of) is a common figurative expression for giving something up for a cause.

Examples

"I fiori erano disposti sull'altare."

Natural Translation

The flowers were arranged on the altar.

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