French word

autel

Pronunciation

IPA/otɛl/

Meaning

  • masculine nounaltar

Example

Il a placé des bougies sur l'autel.

He placed candles on the altar.

Illustration for autel (altar)

More examples

Ils se sont mariés à l'autel.

They got married at the altar.

Core concept

A raised sacred table or platform that forms the ritual focus of a holy place.

Common phrases

  • sur l'autel

    at the altar

  • se marier à l'autel

    get married at the altar

Similar words

table: A flat piece of furniture for placing things during meals or work.
église: A building where Christian worship and Mass take place.
chapelle: A small place of worship, either within a church or standing alone.

Definition in French

Emplacement consacré dans un lieu sacré, endroit élevé où l'on dépose les offrandes et où l'on célèbre les rites, souvent considéré comme le centre liturgique.

Word origin

The French noun autel comes from Latin altare, related to altus, meaning "high," through Old French development.

Usage tips

  • Autel is masculine, so the standard forms are un autel and l'autel, with elision before a vowel sound.

Word lists with this word