I. ˈsaŋ(k)chəˌwerē, ˈsaiŋ-, -ri noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English sanctuarie, seintuarie, from Middle French sainctuarie, saintuarie, from Late Latin sanctuarium, from Latin sanctus holy + -arium -ary
1.
a. : a consecrated place : one devoted to the keeping of sacred things: as
(1) : the temple at Jerusalem or the most retired part of it, 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 — compare holy of holies
(2) : the most sacred part of any religious building : the part of a Christian church in which the altar is placed or the room in which general worship services are held
(3) : a house consecrated to the worship of God : a church, temple, or other building for worship
(4) : a place consecrated to some god especially by the ancient Greeks and Romans that might be open (as in a grove) or enclosed and often built around an enclosure containing a temple, shrines, and a theater
b. obsolete : heaven
c. : something resembling a sanctuary : a place held to be sacrosanct
I hold a sanctuary in their hearts — Charles Dickens
this sanctuary where scrap gold and silver are melted — American Guide Series: New York City
2.
a. : a sacred and inviolable asylum; a place of refuge and protection
b. : immunity from law by entering such a place
c. : the right or privilege of conferring such immunity
the ancient privilege of sanctuary was transferred to the Christian temples — Edward Gibbon
3. : a place of resort for those who seek relief : a refuge from turmoil and strife : haven
her bedroom, that sanctuary whither she could take refuge in tears — J.C.Snaith
his quest is the … sanctuary from the modern world — F.R.Leavis
4. : a place of refuge for birds or for game or other animals where predatory animals may be controlled and hunting is not allowed — compare preserve 3
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
: sanctuarize