SANCTUARY

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does sanctuary mean? 

• SANCTUARY (noun)
  The noun SANCTUARY has 3 senses:

1. a consecrated place where sacred objects are kept

2. a shelter from danger or hardship

3. area around the altar of a church for the clergy and choir; often enclosed by a lattice or railing

  Familiarity information: SANCTUARY used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SANCTUARY (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A consecrated place where sacred objects are kept

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("sanctuary" is a kind of...):

place; property (any area set aside for a particular purpose)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "sanctuary"):

holy of holies; sanctum sanctorum ((Judaism) sanctuary comprised of the innermost chamber of the Tabernacle in the temple of Solomon where the Ark of the Covenant was kept)

Tabernacle ((Judaism) a portable sanctuary in which the Jews carried the Ark of the Covenant on their exodus)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A shelter from danger or hardship

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

asylum; refuge; sanctuary

Hypernyms ("sanctuary" is a kind of...):

shelter (a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "sanctuary"):

harbor; harbour (a place of refuge and comfort and security)

safehold (a refuge from attack)

safe house (a house used as a hiding place or refuge by members of certain organizations)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Area around the altar of a church for the clergy and choir; often enclosed by a lattice or railing

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

bema; chancel; sanctuary

Hypernyms ("sanctuary" is a kind of...):

area (a part of a structure having some specific characteristic or function)

Meronyms (parts of "sanctuary"):

choir (the area occupied by singers; the part of the chancel between sanctuary and nave)

Holonyms ("sanctuary" is a part of...):

church; church building (a place for public (especially Christian) worship)

 Context examples 

For the first time, the temple's main sanctuary, known as the Holy of Holies, was opened.

(Discovery of Two Tombs Dating Back 3,500 Years Announced in Egypt, VOA)

I was never unmindful of Agnes, and she never left that sanctuary in my thoughts—if I may call it so—where I had placed her from the first.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

He says the sanctuary will expand the protection area for these species, covering from the African coast to the South American coast.

(Brazil to support South Atlantic whale sanctuary bid, Agência BRASIL)

Also called central nervous system sanctuary therapy, CNS prophylaxis, and CNS sanctuary therapy.

(Central nervous system prophylaxis, NCI Dictionary)

Also called central nervous system prophylaxis, CNS prophylaxis, and CNS sanctuary therapy.

(Central nervous system sanctuary therapy, NCI Dictionary)

Also called central nervous system prophylaxis, central nervous system sanctuary therapy, and CNS sanctuary therapy.

(CNS prophylaxis, NCI Dictionary)

Also called central nervous system prophylaxis, central nervous system sanctuary therapy, and CNS prophylaxis.

(CNS sanctuary therapy, NCI Dictionary)

For when the deed was done this foul and base wretch fled to sanctuary at St. Cross, and I, as you may think, after him with all the posse.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I have a place to repair to, which will be a secure sanctuary from hateful reminiscences, from unwelcome intrusion—even from falsehood and slander.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

As I look round this room, although it has been to me so full of fear, it is now a sort of sanctuary, for nothing can be more dreadful than those awful women, who were—who are—waiting to suck my blood.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)