Sanctuary

Etymology

Middle English seintuarie, sanctuarie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin sanctuarium, from Latin sanctus

• Date: 14th century

Definitions

• 1 : a consecrated place: as a : the ancient Hebrew temple at Jerusalem or its holy of holies

b (1) : the most sacred part of a religious building (as the part of a Christian church in which the altar is placed)

(2) : the room in which general worship services are held

(3) : a place (as a church or a temple) for worship

• 2 a (1) : a place of refuge and protection (2) : a refuge for wildlife where predators are controlled and hunting is illegal

b : the immunity from law attached to a sanctuary