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altar   —   alter

The confusion could be on account of the similarity in pronunciation.  Learners doing listening comprehension tasks must be watchful.

“Altar” is ‘a raised level surface or a table where offerings are made to a god’,

e.g.

In Christian service of communion (prayer) the bread and the wine are bless on the altar.

“Alter” means ‘to change; to change something to fit in something else’,

e.g.

We must alter our arrangements because of the rain.  [change our plans]

She has altered her old dress to make it fit.   [changed the measurements of the dress]

[Return to "groom" in People & Professions.]

[Return to "altar boy" in People & Professions.]

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