好词典

altar

UK //ˈɔːltə(r)//US //ˈɔːltər//

词源

源自拉丁语 'altare'(高台),与 'altus'(高的)相关,后经古法语 'autel' 进入英语。

noun

❶ 祭坛,指宗教仪式中用于供奉神灵、举行祭祀或祈祷的高台或平台,常见于教堂、寺庙等场所。

“The priest stood before the altar to perform the ceremony.”

(牧师站在祭坛前举行仪式。)

“They placed flowers on the altar as an offering.”

(他们将鲜花放在祭坛上作为供品。)

同义词:shrine, sanctuary, sacrificial table

常见短语

lead to the altar — 指某人结婚或步入婚姻殿堂,常用于描述被求婚或举行婚礼的场景。

“After five years of dating, he finally led her to the altar.”

(交往五年后,他终于带她步入了婚姻殿堂。)

sacrifice on the altar of — 比喻为某种目的或理想而牺牲某事物,常用于表达被迫放弃重要东西的情况。

“Many workers sacrificed their health on the altar of corporate profits.”

(许多工人为了公司利润牺牲了自己的健康。)