sanctuary: Meaning and Definition of

sanc•tu•ar•y

Pronunciation: (sangk'ch-er"ē), [key]
— pl. -ar•ies.
  1. a sacred or holy place.
    1. the Biblical tabernacle or the Temple in Jerusalem.
    2. the holy of holies of these places of worship.
  2. an especially holy place in a temple or church.
  3. the part of a church around the altar; the chancel.
  4. a church or other sacred place where fugitives were formerly entitled to immunity from arrest.
  5. immunity afforded by refuge in such a place.
  6. any place of refuge; asylum.
  7. a tract of land where birds and wildlife, esp. those hunted for sport, can breed and take refuge in safety from hunters.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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