English Explanatory Dictionary

sanctuary

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A place of safety, refuge, or protection.
  2. An area set aside for protection.
  3. A state of being protected, asylum.
  4. The consecrated (or sacred) area of a church or temple around its tabernacle or altar.

Pronunciation

/ˈsæŋktjʊəɹi/ /ˈsæŋkt͡ʃʊəɹi/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-sanctuary.wav /ˈsæŋkt͡ʃuˌɛɹi/

Word forms

sanctuary sanctuaries

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.

Synonyms

haven refuge shelter zoar presbytery presbyterium chancel[Appendix:Glossary

Derived words

animal sanctuary cybersanctuary ecosanctuary gun sanctuary mantuary protosanctuary sanctuaried sanctuarize sanctuary city sanctuarylike Second Amendment sanctuary unsanctuaried wildlife sanctuary
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