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sanctuary:
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Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
sanctuary/ˈsaŋktʃuəri/
▶noun (pl. sanctuaries)
  • 1 a place of refuge or safety.

    ■ immunity from arrest.

  • 2 a nature reserve.

    ■ a place where injured or unwanted animals are cared for.

  • 3 a holy place.

    ■ the innermost recess or holiest part of a temple.

    ■ the part of the chancel of a church containing the high altar.
– origin ME (orig. ‘a sacred place where a fugitive was immune from arrest’): from OFr. sanctuaire, from L. sanctuarium, from sanctus ‘holy’.



'sanctuary' also found in these Oxford entries:
Forum discussions with the word(s) "sanctuary" in the title:
gave sanctuary to a trench coat
sanctuary
sanctuary and reserve
sanctuary vs. safehaven
To take sanctuary

Look up "sanctuary" at Merriam-Webster
Look up "sanctuary" at dictionary.com

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