Middle English Dictionary Entry

autē̆r n.
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Entry Info

Forms autē̆r n. Also autier, -ir, -or, aulter, auȝter, aucter & alter(e, altar(e.
Etymology OE alter, altāre, OF aut(i)er, & L altāre. Derivatives of OE alter occur in early ME; of OF auter, from c1225 onward; of L altāre, throughout ME.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
(a) The altar of a church; also, the altar placed before the shrine or image of a saint; (b) heigh ~, chef ~, the high altar, the altar on which the Eucharist is offered; sacrement of the ~, the Eucharist; (c) heigh ~, ?the top of the altar, the altar slab.
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2.
(a) The altar of the Hebrew temple; also, any place used for the sacrifice of burnt offerings to God; (b) the altar of a pagan god.
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3.
(a) auter-cloth, a cloth used for covering the top of the altar during mass; (b) ?~ makere; (c) ~ ston, the top of the altar, the altar slab; also, an altar.
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