[ALTAR- 3.] A stone forming part of an altar; especially, the slab forming the top or table; the super-altar; also (in R. C. Ch.) a portable slab used by priests when mass is said at ‘stations.’
c. 1325. Cœur de L., 41. At Cantyrbury at the awterston, Wher many myraclys are idon.
1566. in Eng. Ch. Furn. (1866), 37. The aulter stones—Broken in peces by the aboue named church wardens.
1814. Scott, Ld. of Isles, II. xxiv. Murder done Even on the sacred altar-stone!
1870. Bryant, Homer, I. II. 50. A frightful serpent From beneath the altar-stone Came swiftly gliding.
