altar society

noun

: an organization of female parishioners who voluntarily perform certain functions (such as caring for linens, providing floral arrangements, and holding church fund raisers) to maintain a church's sanctuary
… members of the altar society had purchased or refinished many of the items in the church—the tabernacle, ciborium, candlesticks, planters, decanter, pitcher, basin and holy water fonts, along with sewing baptismal bibs and maintaining the vestments and altar linens.Elizabeth Moore, Times-Picayune (New Orleans), 3 Feb. 2000

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of altar society was in 1888

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near altar society

Cite this Entry

“Altar society.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/altar%20society. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!