Sanctuary
/ˈsæŋk.tʃuː.əri/noun
A place of refuge or safety.
Did you know?In ancient Rome, sanctuaries were not only places of worship but also safe havens where criminals could seek protection from punishment, invoking the power of the divine.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sank-
“to make holy or sacred.”
Latin
Latin
sanctuarium
“a sacred place or shrine.”
Old French
Old French
sanctuaire
“a place of refuge or a sacred site.”
Middle English
Middle English
sanctuarie
“a place of safety or asylum, especially for those seeking protection.”
Modern English
English
sanctuary
“a place of refuge or safety, often with religious connotations.”
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