n. (pl. -ies)
1. a holy place; a church, temple, etc.
2 a the inmost recess or holiest part of a temple etc. b the part of the chancel containing the high altar.
3 a place where birds, wild animals, etc., are bred and protected.
4 a place of refuge, esp. for political refugees.
5 a immunity from arrest. b the right to offer this.
6 hist. a sacred place where a fugitive from the law or a debtor was secured by medieval Church law against arrest or violence.
Phrases and idioms:
take sanctuary resort to a place of refuge.
Etymology: ME f. AF sanctuarie, OF sanctuaire f. L sanctuarium (as SAINT)