superaltar: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely RareTechnical / Historical / Ecclesiastical
Quick answer
What does “superaltar” mean?
A portable stone slab or slab of wood consecrated for use as an altar, especially one placed on a primary fixed altar.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A portable stone slab or slab of wood consecrated for use as an altar, especially one placed on a primary fixed altar.
A secondary, movable altar top used in Christian liturgical practice, particularly in the Middle Ages. It can refer to a consecrated slab placed over an existing altar for the celebration of Mass or for altars in side chapels.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference. The term is so rare that its use is confined to specialist literature in both varieties.
Connotations
Purely technical, historical, and ecclesiastical. No modern or everyday connotations exist in either variety.
Frequency
Virtually non-existent in contemporary usage. Slightly more likely to appear in UK publications due to the greater number of surviving historical church texts, but this is negligible.
Grammar
How to Use “superaltar” in a Sentence
[The] superaltar [is/was] placed on [the altar][A] consecrated superaltar [serves/served] as [an altar]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “superaltar” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The superaltar slab was found during the restoration.
American English
- A superaltar stone was documented in the 12th-century chapel.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, architectural history, and theological/ecclesiastical research papers describing medieval church artefacts and liturgy.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Used in museum catalogues, archaeological site reports, and specialist liturgical reference works.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “superaltar”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “superaltar”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “superaltar”
- Confusing it with a 'reredos' (a screen behind an altar).
- Assuming it is a type of very large or important altar (super as in excellent), when it is simply a slab placed *over* one.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is extremely rare and only used by specialists in church history, architecture, or liturgy.
No, 'superaltar' is exclusively a noun in English.
They are often synonymous, especially when the altar stone is designed to be portable and placed on another surface. 'Superaltar' emphasizes its function as being placed *upon* something else.
Almost certainly not. It is part of a highly specialised historical/ecclesiastical vocabulary.
A portable stone slab or slab of wood consecrated for use as an altar, especially one placed on a primary fixed altar.
Superaltar is usually technical / historical / ecclesiastical in register.
Superaltar: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsuːpərˈɔːltə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsuːpərˈɑːltər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SUPER (on top of) + ALTAR (a church table). A SUPERALTAR goes on top of the main altar.
Practice
Quiz
What is a superaltar?