n.1 sanctuary; protection, esp. for those pursued by the law (seek asylum).
2 hist. any of various kinds of institution offering shelter and support to distressed or destitute individuals, esp. the mentally ill.
Phrases and idioms:
political asylum protection given by a State to a political refugee from another country.
Etymology: ME f. L f. Gk asulon refuge f. a- not + sulon right of seizure