Dictionary entries for 'sanctuary'

Synonyms

sanc·tu·ar·y (săngḱchōō-ĕŕē)

[Middle English, from Old French sainctuarie, from Late Latin sānctuārium, from Latin sānctus, sacred; see sanctify.]

noun: pl., -ies.

1. A sacred place, such as a church, temple, or mosque.
2. The holiest part of a sacred place, as the part of a Christian church around the altar.
1. A sacred place, such as a church, in which fugitives formerly were immune to arrest.
2. Immunity to arrest afforded by a sanctuary.
A place of refuge or asylum.
A reserved area in which birds and other animals, especially wild animals, are protected from hunting or molestation. See synonyms at shelter