---
title: altar — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «altar» in the school dictionary: An altar is a holy table at the front of a church where the priest or minister prepares communion (the bread and wine). Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# altar

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** altar, priest, bride, Noah, brother, ancient Greeks · **What happens:** be, prepare, offer, sacrifice, stand, bless · **To what, where:** holy table, front, communion, table, something, altar

<!-- .vabout -->
«altar» in the school dictionary: its 3 meanings for a pupil and its 7 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [altar in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/altar.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: church — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
An altar is a holy table at the front of a church where the priest or minister prepares communion (the bread and wine).

<!-- fold The tree, 23 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:altar:m1:1
# text = An altar is a holy table at the front of a church where the priest or minister prepares communion (the bread and wine).
1	An	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	altar	altar	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	holy	holy	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	table	table	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	at	at	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	front	front	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	_
10	of	of	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	church	church	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nmod	_	_
13	where	where	ADV	WRB	PronType=Rel	18	advmod	_	_
14	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	15	det	_	_
15	priest	priest	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	18	nsubj	_	_
16	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	17	cc	_	_
17	minister	minister	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	15	conj	_	_
18	prepares	prepare	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	12	acl:relcl	_	_
19	communion	communion	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	18	obj	_	_
20	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	22	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	22	det	_	_
22	bread	bread	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	19	appos	_	_
23	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	24	cc	_	_
24	wine	wine	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	22	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
25	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	22	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
26	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a altar | a holy table |  | the front of a church |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **prepare** | present | the priest or minister | communion |  |  |  |  | vn establish-55.5-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent communion=Patient |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: religion, history — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
An altar is a table or stone where people in old religions offered gifts or sacrifices to God or gods.

<!-- fold The tree, 20 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:altar:m2:1
# text = An altar is a table or stone where people in old religions offered gifts or sacrifices to God or gods.
1	An	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	altar	altar	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	table	table	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	stone	stone	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	_
8	where	where	ADV	WRB	PronType=Rel	18	advmod	_	_
9	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	18	nsubj	_	_
10	in	in	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	old	old	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	12	amod	_	_
12	religions	religion	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	nmod	_	_
13	offered	offer	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	14	amod	_	_
14	gifts	gift	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	12	conj	_	_
15	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	16	cc	_	_
16	sacrifices	sacrifice	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	14	conj	_	_
17	to	to	ADP	IN	_	18	case	_	_
18	God	God	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	_
19	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	20	cc	_	_
20	gods	god	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	18	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a altar | a table or stone to God or gods |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **offer** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn future\_having-13.3 «NP V NP.theme (PP)»: agent=Agent |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: idiom — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To sacrifice something on the altar of something is to give it up for that thing.

<!-- fold The tree, 16 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:altar:m3:1
# text = To sacrifice something on the altar of something is to give it up for that thing.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	sacrifice	sacrifice	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	11	advcl	_	_
3	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	_
4	on	on	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	altar	altar	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	6	nmod	_	_
9	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	11	cop	_	_
10	to	to	PART	TO	_	11	mark	_	_
11	give	give	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
12	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	11	obj	_	_
13	up	up	ADP	RP	_	11	compound:prt	_	_
14	for	for	ADP	IN	_	16	case	_	_
15	that	that	DET	DT	Number=Sing|PronType=Dem	16	det	_	_
16	thing	thing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	11	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **sacrifice** | to-infinitive |  | something |  | the altar of something |  |  | vn contribute-13.2-1-1 «NP V NP.theme (PP)»: agent=Agent something=Theme |
| 2 | **is** | present |  |  |  |  |  | for that thing; give *property* | tree rules |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The priest stood at the altar and blessed the bread and wine.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:altar:x1:1
# text = The priest stood at the altar and blessed the bread and wine.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	priest	priest	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	stood	stand	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	at	at	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	altar	altar	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	_
7	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	blessed	bless	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	conj	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	bread	bread	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obj	_	_
11	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	12	cc	_	_
12	wine	wine	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **stand** | past | the priest |  |  | the altar |  |  | vn assuming\_position-50 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Agent at altar=Location |
| 2 | **bless** | past | the priest *not said here* | the bread and wine |  |  |  |  | vn judgment-33.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent bread=Theme |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The bride and groom walked up to the altar.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:altar:x2:1
# text = The bride and groom walked up to the altar.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	bride	bride	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	4	cc	_	_
4	groom	groom	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	conj	_	_
5	walked	walk	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	up	up	ADP	RP	_	5	compound:prt	_	_
7	to	to	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	altar	altar	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **walk up** | past | the bride and groom |  |  | the altar |  |  | vn run-51.3.2-2-1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme to altar=Destination |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Candles and flowers were placed on the altar.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:altar:x3:1
# text = Candles and flowers were placed on the altar.
1	Candles	candle	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	nsubj:pass	_	_
2	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	3	cc	_	_
3	flowers	flower	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	conj	_	_
4	were	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	aux:pass	_	_
5	placed	place	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
6	on	on	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	altar	altar	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **place** | past · passive |  | Candles and flowers |  | the altar |  |  | vn put-9.1-2 «NP V PP.destination NP»: subject=Theme on altar=Destination |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In the Bible, Noah built an altar after the flood.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:altar:x4:1
# text = In the Bible, Noah built an altar after the flood.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	Bible	Bible	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
5	Noah	Noah	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
6	built	build	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	altar	altar	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	_
9	after	after	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	flood	flood	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **build** | past | Noah | a altar |  | the Bible | after the flood |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent altar=Product |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
My brother is an altar server at Sunday Mass.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:altar:x5:1
# text = My brother is an altar server at Sunday Mass.
1	My	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	brother	brother	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
4	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	altar	altar	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	compound	_	_
6	server	server	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	at	at	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	Sunday	Sunday	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	9	compound	_	_
9	Mass	Mass	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | My brother | a altar server |  | Sunday Mass |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The ancient Greeks made offerings at altars to their gods.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:altar:x6:1
# text = The ancient Greeks made offerings at altars to their gods.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	ancient	ancient	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	Greeks	Greek	PROPN	NNPS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj	_	_
4	made	make	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	offerings	offering	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	_
6	at	at	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	altars	altar	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obl	_	_
8	to	to	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	their	their	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	10	nmod:poss	_	_
10	gods	god	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | past | the ancient Greeks | offerings |  | altars |  | to Greeks's gods | vn build-26.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent offering=Product |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The moujik hid himself behind the altar.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:altar:x7:1
# text = The moujik hid himself behind the altar.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	moujik	moujik	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	hid	hide	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	himself	himself	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs|Reflex=Yes	3	obj	_	_
5	behind	behind	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	altar	altar	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **hide** | past | the moujik | moujik |  | the altar |  |  | vn concealment-16-1 «NP V NP PP.location»: agent=Agent himself=Patient behind altar=Location |

<!-- div src -->

**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

<!-- /div -->

<!-- pn -->
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