REFUGE

n. 1 sanctuary, shelter, haven, asylum, protection, cover, retreat, harbour, security, safe house, stronghold, citadel, bolt-hole, hideaway, hide-out, Colloq hidy-hole or hidey-hole The abandoned mine served as a refuge from the storm 2 excuse, pretext, resort, recourse, ruse, trick, stratagem, subterfuge, dodge, evasion, expedient Patriotism is often the last refuge of a scoundrel