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asylum - 7 dictionary results
a⋅sy⋅lum
[uh-sahy-luh
m] 
–noun
| 1. | (esp. formerly) an institution for the maintenance and care of the mentally ill, orphans, or other persons requiring specialized assistance. |
| 2. | an inviolable refuge, as formerly for criminals and debtors; sanctuary: He sought asylum in the church. |
| 3. | International Law.
|
| 4. | any secure retreat. |
Synonyms:
2. haven, shelter, retreat.
2. haven, shelter, retreat.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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|
Link To asylum
| a·sy·lum (ə-sī'ləm) n.
[Middle English asilum, refuge, from Latin asȳlum, from Greek asūlon, sanctuary, from neuter of asūlos, inviolable : a-, without; see a-1 + sūlon, right of seizure.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Asylum
A*sy"lum\, n.; pl. E. Asylums, L. Asyla. [L. asylum, Gr. ?, fr. ? exempt from spoliation, inviolable; 'a priv. + ? right of seizure.]1. A sanctuary or place of refuge and protection, where criminals and debtors found shelter, and from which they could not be forcibly taken without sacrilege. So sacred was the church to some, that it had the right of an asylum or sanctuary. --Ayliffe. Note: The name was anciently given to temples, altars, statues of the gods, and the like. In later times Christian churches were regarded as asylums in the same sense. 2. Any place of retreat and security. Earth has no other asylum for them than its own cold bosom. --Southey. 3. An institution for the protection or relief of some class of destitute, unfortunate, or afflicted persons; as, an asylum for the aged, for the blind, or for the insane; a lunatic asylum; an orphan asylum.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : asylum
Spanish:
asilo,
German:
das Asyl,
Japanese:
亡命
asylum
c.1430, from L. asylum "sanctuary," from Gk. asylon "refuge," neut. of asylos "inviolable," from a- "without" + syle "right of seizure." So lit. "an inviolable place."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: asy·lum
Pronunciation: &-'sI-l&m
Function: noun
: protection from arrest and extradition given esp. to political refugees by a nation or by an embassy or other agency that has diplomatic immunity
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Main Entry: asy·lum
Pronunciation: &-'sI-l&m
Function: noun
: an institution for the relief or care of the destitute or sick and especiallythe insane
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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asylum a·sy·lum (ə-sī'ləm)
n.
An institution for the care of people, especially individuals with physical or mental impairments, who require organized supervision or assistance.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
