English Explanatory Dictionary

asylum

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A place of safety or refuge.
  2. The protection, physical and legal, afforded by such a place (as, for example, for political refugees).
  3. A place of protection or restraint for one or more classes of the disadvantaged, especially the mentally ill.
verb
  1. to place in an asylum
  2. to grant protection or refuge

Pronunciation

/əˈsaɪləm/ en-us-asylum.ogg

Word forms

asylum asylums asyla asyluming asylumed

Etymology

From Latin asylum, from Ancient Greek ἄσυλον (ásulon).

Synonyms

sanctuary shelter

Related words

non-refoulement refugee

Derived words

asylee asylophobic asylum hotel asylumlike asylum seeker asylum shopping insane asylum khia asylum lunatic asylum lunatics have taken over the asylum Magdalene asylum mental asylum orphan asylum political asylum
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