Sanc"tu*a*ry (?), n.; pl.
Sanctuaries (#). [OE. seintuarie, OF.
saintuaire, F. sanctuaire, fr. L. sanctuarium,
from sanctus sacred, holy. See Saint.] A sacred
place; a consecrated spot; a holy and inviolable site. Hence,
specifically: (a) 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. (b) (Arch.)
The most sacred part of any religious building, esp. that part of
a Christian church in which the altar is placed.
(c) A house consecrated to the worship of God; a
place where divine service is performed; a church, temple, or other
place of worship. (d) A sacred and
inviolable asylum; a place of refuge and protection; shelter; refuge;
protection.
These laws, whoever made them, bestowed on temples the
privilege of sanctuary.
Milton.
The admirable works of painting were made fuel for the
fire; but some relics of it took sanctuary under ground, and
escaped the common destiny.
Dryden.