sanctuary
UK: ˈsæŋktʃuəri | US: ˈsæŋktʃueri
n. a place of refuge or safety
n. a sacred or holy place, such as a church or temple
n. wildlife protection area where hunting is prohibited
sanctuary = sanct<holy> + uary<place>
- sanct (from Latin sanctus, meaning "holy" or "consecrated")
- uary (from Latin -arium, a suffix denoting "a place associated with")
Etymology Origin:
The word sanctuary traces back to Latin sanctuarium, derived from sanctus (holy). Originally, it referred to sacred spaces like churches or temples where people sought divine protection. Over time, its meaning expanded to include secular refuges (e.g., wildlife sanctuaries) by analogy—emphasizing safety and inviolability, much like holy ground. The morpheme -uary (as in sanctuarium) evolved into English as a suffix for locations (e.g., mortuary, aviary).
The ancient temple served as a sanctuary for persecuted groups.
The national park is a sanctuary for endangered species.
She found emotional sanctuary in her grandmother’s home.
Hunting is strictly forbidden in this bird sanctuary.
The library became his quiet sanctuary amid the city’s chaos.