asylum
NOUN:
1. an inviolable refuge, as formerly for criminals and debtors; sanctuary:
He sought asylum in the church.
2. any secure retreat.
3. a safe or inviolable place of refuge, esp as formerly offered by the Christian Church to criminals, outlaws, etc; sanctuary (often in the phrase "give asylum to").
4. shelter; refuge.
5. an inviolable place of refuge and protection giving shelter to criminals and debtors; sanctuary.
6. a place of retreat and security; shelter.
7. the protection or security afforded by an asylum; refuge.
in politics and international law:
1. a refuge granted an alien by a sovereign state on its own territory.
2. a temporary refuge granted political offenders, especially in a foreign embassy.
3. refuge afforded to a person whose extradition is sought by a foreign government:
political asylum.
4. protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees by a nation or by an embassy or other agency enjoying freedom from what is required by law for most people.
Examples:
He asked for political asylum; He was granted asylum after it was made clear that he would be killed if he returned to his native country. —Merriam-Webster.
in medical sense:
an institution for the care of people, especially individuals with physical or mental impairments, who require organized supervision or assistance.
obsolete, especially formerly, or somewhat old-fashioned:
1. an institution for the shelter, treatment, or confinement of individuals, esp a mental hospital (formerly termed "lunatic asylum").
2. an institution providing care and protection to needy individuals (such as the infirm or destitute) and especially the mentally ill.
3. an institution for the maintenance and care of the mentally ill, orphans, or other persons requiring specialized assistance.
Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English; < Latin < Greek ásȳlon sanctuary, equivalent to a- a-6 + sŷlon right of seizure. Dictionary 2: C15: via Latin from Greek asulon refuge, from asulos that may not be seized, from a- 1 + sulon right of seizure. —Dictionary.com. //
First Known Use: 15th century. History and Etymology: Middle English, from Latin, from Greek asylon, neuter of asylos inviolable, from a- + sylon right of seizure. —Merriam-Webster.
Sources: 1, 2.
1. an inviolable refuge, as formerly for criminals and debtors; sanctuary:
He sought asylum in the church.
2. any secure retreat.
3. a safe or inviolable place of refuge, esp as formerly offered by the Christian Church to criminals, outlaws, etc; sanctuary (often in the phrase "give asylum to").
4. shelter; refuge.
5. an inviolable place of refuge and protection giving shelter to criminals and debtors; sanctuary.
6. a place of retreat and security; shelter.
7. the protection or security afforded by an asylum; refuge.
in politics and international law:
1. a refuge granted an alien by a sovereign state on its own territory.
2. a temporary refuge granted political offenders, especially in a foreign embassy.
3. refuge afforded to a person whose extradition is sought by a foreign government:
political asylum.
4. protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees by a nation or by an embassy or other agency enjoying freedom from what is required by law for most people.
Examples:
He asked for political asylum; He was granted asylum after it was made clear that he would be killed if he returned to his native country. —Merriam-Webster.
in medical sense:
an institution for the care of people, especially individuals with physical or mental impairments, who require organized supervision or assistance.
obsolete, especially formerly, or somewhat old-fashioned:
1. an institution for the shelter, treatment, or confinement of individuals, esp a mental hospital (formerly termed "lunatic asylum").
2. an institution providing care and protection to needy individuals (such as the infirm or destitute) and especially the mentally ill.
3. an institution for the maintenance and care of the mentally ill, orphans, or other persons requiring specialized assistance.
Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English; < Latin < Greek ásȳlon sanctuary, equivalent to a- a-6 + sŷlon right of seizure. Dictionary 2: C15: via Latin from Greek asulon refuge, from asulos that may not be seized, from a- 1 + sulon right of seizure. —Dictionary.com. //
First Known Use: 15th century. History and Etymology: Middle English, from Latin, from Greek asylon, neuter of asylos inviolable, from a- + sylon right of seizure. —Merriam-Webster.
Sources: 1, 2.