I. ˈre(ˌ)fyüj, esp before a syllable-increasing suffix -_fyəj noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin refugium, from refugere to run away, avoid, escape, from re- + fugere to run away, flee — more at fugitive
1. : shelter or protection from danger or distress
seek refuge in flight
take refuge in the home of a friend
a house of refuge
2.
a. : a home for those who are destitute, homeless, or in disgrace
b. : a sanctuary for birds or wild animals
c. : a mountain hut or cabin erected to serve as sleeping quarters for mountaineers
d. : a safety zone for pedestrians crossing a street in heavy traffic : safety island
3. : a means of resort for help in difficulty : resource
patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel — Samuel Johnson
the ivory tower … as a place of refuge from unpleasant reality — H.N.Russell
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
: to give refuge to
intransitive verb
: to seek or take refuge
III. “, ˈrefij noun
Etymology: by alteration
chiefly dialect : refuse III