sanc-tu-ar-y (sangk'chue er ee) n. pl. <-ar-ies>

1. a sacred or holy place.

2. Judaism.

a. the Biblical tabernacle or the

Temple in Jerusalem.

b. the holy of holies of these places

of worship.

3. an esp. holy place in a temple or church,

as the chancel.

4. a church or other sacred place formerly

providing refuge, esp. immunity from

arrest.

5. the protection provided by such a place.

6. any place of refuge; asylum.

7. a tract of land where wildlife can live

and breed in safety from hunters;

preserve.

[1325-75; ME seintuarie, san (c) tuarie (< OF

saintuaire) < L sanctuarium = sanct (us) holy (see

SANCTUS) + -uarium, perh. extracted from ossuarium

OSSUARY; see - ARY]

Derived words

--sanc'tu-ar ied, adj.

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