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   Sanc·tu·ar·y

   /ˈsaNGk(t)SHəˌwerē/

   

   noun

   • 1. a place of refuge or safety: "his sons took sanctuary in the church" Similar refugehavenharborport in a stormoasisshelterretreatboltholefoxholehideouthiding placehideawaydenasylumsafe housefastnessquerenciasafetysafe keepingprotectionsheltersecurityimmunityasylum
   • 2. a nature reserve: "a bird sanctuary" Similar reserveparkwildlife reservenature reservereservationpreservehomeshelterconservation park
   • 3. a holy place; a temple or church: "the sanctuaries of Apollo and Athena" Similar holy placetempleshrinetabernaclealtarsanctuminner sanctumholy of holiessacrariumbemanaosadytumsanctum sanctorumpresbytery
   • ▪ the inmost recess or holiest part of a temple or church: "the inner sanctuary where the reliquary was kept"
   • ▪ the part of the chancel of a church containing the high altar.

   Word Origin Middle English (in sanctuary (sense 3)): from Old French sanctuaire, from Latin sanctuarium, from sanctus ‘holy’. Early use in reference to a church or other sacred place where a fugitive was immune, by the law of the medieval Church, from arrest, gave rise to sanctuary (sense 1, sense 2).

   Scrabble Points: 14

   • S

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   • A

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   • N

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   • C

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   • T

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   • U

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   • A

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   • R

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   • Y

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