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Added 9 October 2026

sanctuary

/ˈsæŋktjʊəɹi/ noun

In Latin: tūtum Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about sanctuary at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

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

Origin

From Middle English seyntuarie, from Old French saintuaire, from Late Latin sanctuarium (“a sacred place, a shrine, a private cabinet, in Medieval Latin also temple, church, churchyard, cemetery, right of asylum”), from Latin sanctus (“holy, sacred”); see saint.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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