altar stone: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C1/C2)Formal, Religious, Technical (Ecclesiastical/Archaeological)
Quick answer
What does “altar stone” mean?
A large, consecrated stone slab or table forming the central part of a Christian altar, where the Eucharistic ceremony is performed.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, consecrated stone slab or table forming the central part of a Christian altar, where the Eucharistic ceremony is performed.
In archaeology and ritual studies, a large flat stone used for ceremonial or sacrificial purposes in various pre-Christian or non-Christian cultures.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in religious contexts. In UK archaeology, 'altar stone' is a standard descriptor for ritual stones (e.g., at Stonehenge). In US archaeology, the term 'sacrificial stone' or 'ritual stone table' may be more common for non-Christian contexts.
Connotations
Strongly Christian/eccesiastical in primary use. In UK heritage contexts, it has prehistoric/Neolithic connotations (e.g., 'Stonehenge altar stone').
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, appearing almost exclusively in specialist texts.
Grammar
How to Use “altar stone” in a Sentence
The altar stone [is located/stands/sits] in the chancel.They consecrated [the/an] altar stone.The relic was embedded [in/into] the altar stone.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “altar stone” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The bishop will altar-stone the new chapel tomorrow. (Archaic/obsolete: to furnish with or consecrate an altar stone)
American English
- (No modern verb use exists.)
adverb
British English
- (No adverbial use.)
American English
- (No adverbial use.)
adjective
British English
- The altar-stone consecration rite is ancient.
- They studied altar-stone fragments.
American English
- The altar-stone material was analyzed.
- An altar-stone relic was discovered.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in theology, ecclesiastical history, and archaeology papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Specific term in liturgy (Christian) and archaeological site reports.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “altar stone”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “altar stone”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “altar stone”
- Misspelling as 'alter stone'.
- Using as a general term for any stone in a church.
- Confusing with 'cornerstone' or 'foundation stone'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Its primary and most specific use is in Christian liturgy for the consecrated slab of an altar. However, archaeologists use it descriptively for any prominent stone used for ritual offerings or sacrifices in ancient cultures worldwide.
An 'altar' is the entire structure or table for religious ceremonies. The 'altar stone' (or 'mensa') is specifically the flat, consecrated slab that forms the top of a fixed Christian altar, often containing relics.
Yes, though it's literary and rare. It can metaphorically represent an unshakeable foundation or a sacred principle (e.g., 'Justice was the altar stone of his philosophy').
'Altar' is a noun for a sacred table. 'Alter' is a verb meaning to change. Misspelling it as 'alter stone' creates a nonsensical or comical phrase ('change stone').
A large, consecrated stone slab or table forming the central part of a Christian altar, where the Eucharistic ceremony is performed.
Altar stone is usually formal, religious, technical (ecclesiastical/archaeological) in register.
Altar stone: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɔːltə stəʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɔːltər stoʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As firm as an altar stone (rare, literary)”
- “To be wedded to the altar stone (archaic: to be dedicated to religious life).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ALTAR (where you worship) + STONE (it's made of rock). Picture a massive, ancient stone table in a church or at Stonehenge.
Conceptual Metaphor
STABILITY/PERMANENCE IS A STONE ALTAR (e.g., 'a relationship built on an altar stone of trust'). FOUNDATION/ CENTRAL POINT (e.g., 'the altar stone of our constitution').
Practice
Quiz
In an archaeological context, an 'altar stone' is primarily: