An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Altar

by Friedrich Kluge

Altar, m., ‘altar,’ from MidHG. álter, altâre, altœre, under the constant influence of Lat. altâre, which forms the base. Comp. altâri, álteri, found even in OHG.; the word was introduced by Christianity. Goth. uses hunsla-staþs, lit. ‘temple-table’; AS. wîhbed for *wîhbeód sacred table’ (see weihen and Beute).