1  definition  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Sanctuary  \Sanc"tu*a*ry\,  n.;  pl  {Sanctuaries}.  [OE. 
  seintuarie  OF  saintuaire  F.  sanctuaire  fr  L. 
  sanctuarium  from  sanctus  sacred,  holy.  See  {Saint}.] 
  A  sacred  place  a  consecrated  spot;  a  holy  and  inviolable 
  site.  Hence  specifically: 
  a  The  most  retired  part  of  the  temple  at  Jerusalem,  called 
  the  Holy  of  Holies,  in  which  was  kept  the  ark  of  the 
  covenant,  and  into  which  no  person  was  permitted  to  enter 
  except  the  high  priest,  and  he  only  once  a  year,  to 
  intercede  for  the  people;  also  the  most  sacred  part  of 
  the  tabernacle;  also  the  temple  at  Jerusalem. 
  b  (Arch.)  The  most  sacred  part  of  any  religious  building, 
  esp.  that  part  of  a  Christian  church  in  which  the  altar 
  is  placed. 
  c  A  house  consecrated  to  the  worship  of  God;  a  place  where 
  divine  service  is  performed;  a  church,  temple,  or  other 
  place  of  worship. 
  d  A  sacred  and  inviolable  asylum;  a  place  of  refuge  and 
  protection;  shelter;  refuge;  protection. 
 
  These  laws,  whoever  made  them  bestowed  on  temples 
  the  privilege  of  sanctuary.  --Milton. 
 
  The  admirable  works  of  painting  were  made  fuel  for 
  the  fire;  but  some  relics  of  it  took  sanctuary 
  under  ground,  and  escaped  the  common  destiny. 
  --Dryden. 

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