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Sanctuary

//ˈsæŋktjʊəɹi// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A place of safety, refuge, or protection. countable, uncountable

    "My car is a sanctuary, where none can disturb me except for people who cut me off."

  2. 2
    area around the altar of a church for the clergy and choir; often enclosed by a lattice or railing wordnet
  3. 3
    An area set aside for protection. countable, uncountable

    "The bird sanctuary has strict restrictions on visitors so the birds aren't disturbed."

  4. 4
    a shelter from danger or hardship wordnet
  5. 5
    A state of being protected, asylum. countable, uncountable

    "The government granted sanctuary to the defector, protecting him from his former government."

Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    a consecrated place where sacred objects are kept wordnet
  2. 7
    The consecrated (or sacred) area of a church or temple around its tabernacle or altar. countable, uncountable

    "Near-synonym: chancel (broadly synonymous)"

Etymology

From Middle English seyntuarie, from Old French saintuaire, from Late Latin sanctuarium (“a sacred place, a shrine, a private cabinet, in Medieval Latin also temple, church, churchyard, cemetery, right of asylum”), from Latin sanctus (“holy, sacred”); see saint.

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