— sanctuaried , adj.
/sangk"chooh er'ee/ , n. , pl. sanctuaries .
1. a sacred or holy place.
2. Judaism.
a. the Biblical tabernacle or the Temple in Jerusalem.
b. the holy of holies of these places of worship.
3. an especially holy place in a temple or church.
4. the part of a church around the altar; the chancel.
5. a church or other sacred place where fugitives were formerly entitled to immunity from arrest.
6. immunity afforded by refuge in such a place.
7. any place of refuge; asylum.
8. a tract of land where birds and wildlife, esp. those hunted for sport, can breed and take refuge in safety from hunters.
[ 1300-50; ME sanctuarium, equiv. to sanctu- (r. L sanct- ), comb. form of sanctus (see SANCTUS) + -arium -ARY ]
Syn. 1. church, temple, altar, shrine, sanctum, adytum. 8. preserve.