asylum
[ uh-sahy-luhm ]
/ əˈsaɪ ləm /
noun
(especially formerly) an institution for the maintenance and care of the mentally ill, orphans, or other persons requiring specialized assistance.
an inviolable refuge, as formerly for criminals and debtors; sanctuary: He sought asylum in the church.
International Law.
- a refuge granted an alien by a sovereign state on its own territory.
- a temporary refuge granted political offenders, especially in a foreign embassy.
any secure retreat.
Origin of asylum
1400–50; late Middle English; < Latin < Greek
ásȳlon sanctuary, equivalent to
a-
a-6 +
sŷlon right of seizure
Words nearby asylum
aswarm,
aswirl,
aswoon,
asylee,
asyllabic,
asylum,
asylum seeker,
asymbolia,
asymmetric,
asymmetric bars,
asymmetric time
Example sentences from the Web for asylum
British Dictionary definitions for asylum
asylum
/ (əˈsaɪləm) /
noun
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)
shelter; refuge
international law
refuge afforded to a person whose extradition is sought by a foreign government
political asylum
obsolete
an institution for the shelter, treatment, or confinement of individuals, esp a mental hospital (formerly termed lunatic asylum)
Word Origin for asylum
C15: via Latin from Greek
asulon refuge, from
asulos that may not be seized, from
a-
1 +
sulon right of seizure
Medical definitions for asylum
asylum
[ ə-sī′ləm ]
n.
An institution for the care of people, especially individuals with physical or mental impairments, who require organized supervision or assistance.