refugium

[ ri-fyoo-jee-uh m ]
/ rɪˈfyu dʒi əm /

noun, plural re·fu·gi·a [ri-fyoo-jee-uh] /rɪˈfyu dʒi ə/.

an area where special environmental circumstances have enabled a species or a community of species to survive after extinction in surrounding areas.

Origin of refugium

From Latin, dating back to 1940–45; see origin at refuge

Example sentences from the Web for refugium

British Dictionary definitions for refugium

refugium
/ (rɪˈfjuːdʒɪəm) /

noun plural -gia (-dʒɪə)

a geographical region that has remained unaltered by a climatic change affecting surrounding regions and that therefore forms a haven for relict fauna and flora

Word Origin for refugium

C20: Latin: refuge