- Sanctuary
- Sanctuary Sanc"tu*a*ry, n.; pl. {Sanctuaries}. [OE.
seintuarie, OF. saintuaire, F. sanctuaire, fr. L.
sanctuarium, from sanctus sacred, holy. See {Saint}.]
A sacred place; a consecrated spot; a holy and inviolable
site. Hence, specifically:
(a) The most retired part of the temple at Jerusalem, called
the Holy of Holies, in which was kept the ark of the
covenant, and into which no person was permitted to enter
except the high priest, and he only once a year, to
intercede for the people; also, the most sacred part of
the tabernacle; also, the temple at Jerusalem.
(b) (Arch.) The most sacred part of any religious building,
esp. that part of a Christian church in which the altar
is placed.
(c) A house consecrated to the worship of God; a place where
divine service is performed; a church, temple, or other
place of worship.
(d) A sacred and inviolable asylum; a place of refuge and
protection; shelter; refuge; protection.
[1913 Webster]
These laws, whoever made them, bestowed on temples the privilege of sanctuary. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
The admirable works of painting were made fuel for the fire; but some relics of it took sanctuary under ground, and escaped the common destiny. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
{Wildlife sanctuary}, a tract of land set aside by law for the preservation of wildlife, in which no hunting is permitted. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
