sanctuary

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A sacred place, such as a church, temple, or mosque.
2. n. The holiest part of a sacred place, as the part of a Christian church around the altar.
3. n. A sacred place, such as a church, in which fugitives formerly were immune to arrest.
4. n. Immunity to arrest afforded by a sanctuary.
5. n. A place of refuge or asylum.
6. n. A reserved area in which birds and other animals, especially wild animals, are protected from hunting or molestation. See Synonyms at shelter.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A sacred or consecrated place; a holy spot; a place in which sacred things are kept.
2. n. Specifically— In Scripture, the temple at Jerusalem, particularly the most retired part of it, 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 that only once a year to intercede for the people. The same name was given to the corresponding part of the tabernacle in the wilderness (Ex. xxv. 8).
3. n. A house consecrated to the worship of God; a church.
4. n. The cella or most sacred part of an Egyptian, Greek, or Roman temple.
5. n. In classical antiquity, a sacred place, a locality, whether inclosed or not, but generally inclosed, consecrated to some divinity or group of divinities, often a grove, sometimes an inclosure of notable size and importance, containing shrines, temples, a theater, arrangements for gymnastic contests, places of shelter for suppliants or for the sick, etc.: as, the sanctuary of Æsculapius at Epidaurus.
6. n. The part of a church where the chief altar stands; the chancel; the presbytery. See cut under reredos.
7. n. A portable shrine containing relics.
8. n. A churchyard.
9. n. A place of refuge or protection; a sacred asylum; specifically, a church or other sacred place to which is attached the privilege of affording protection from arrest and the ordinary operation of the law to criminals, debtors, etc., taking refuge within its precincts. From the time of Constantine downward certain churches have been set apart in many Catholic countries to be an asylum for fugitives from the hands of justice. In England, particularly down to the Reformation, any person who had taken refuge in such a sanctuary was secured against punishment—except when charged with treason or sacrilege—if within the space of forty days he gave signs of repentance, and subjected himself to banishment. By the act 21 James I., c. xxviii., the privilege of sanctuary for crime was finally abolished. Various sanctuaries for debtors, however, continued to exist in and about London till 1697, when they too were abolished. In Scotland the abbey of Holyrood House and its precincts still retain the privilege of giving sanctuary to debtors, and one who retires thither is protected for twenty-four hours; but to enjoy protection longer the person must enter his name in the books kept by the bailie of the abbey. Since the abolition of imprisonment for debt this sanctuary is no longer used.
10. n. Refuge; shelter; protection; specifically, the immunity from the ordinary operations of law afforded by the sacred character of a place, or by a specially privileged church, abbey, etc.
11. To place in safety as in a sanctuary; bestow safely.

Wiktionary

1. n. A place of safety, refuge, or protection.
2. n. An area set aside for protection.
3. n. A state of being protected, asylum.
4. n. The consecrated (or sacred) area of a church or temple around its tabernacle or altar.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. 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.
2. n. (Arch.) The most sacred part of any religious building, esp. that part of a Christian church in which the altar is placed.
3. n. A house consecrated to the worship of God; a place where divine service is performed; a church, temple, or other place of worship.
4. n. A sacred and inviolable asylum; a place of refuge and protection; shelter; refuge; protection.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. a consecrated place where sacred objects are kept
2. n. a shelter from danger or hardship
3. n. area around the altar of a church for the clergy and choir; often enclosed by a lattice or railing