asylum
Use Asylum in a sentence
ləm noun
1.
(especially 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.
a.
a refuge granted an alien by a sovereign state on its own territory.
b.
a temporary refuge granted political offenders, especially in a foreign embassy.
4.
any secure retreat.
Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English; < Latin < Greek ásȳlon sanctuary, equivalent to a- a-6 + sŷlon right of seizure
1400–50; late Middle English; < Latin < Greek ásȳlon sanctuary, equivalent to a- a-6 + sŷlon right of seizure
Synonyms
2. haven, shelter, retreat.
2. haven, shelter, retreat.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To asylum
00:10
Asylum
is a GRE word you need to know.
So is exotic. Does it mean:
| the science or study of family descent |
| rare, unusual |
Collins
World English Dictionary
asylum (əˈsaɪləm) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | 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) |
| 2. | shelter; refuge |
| 3. | international law refuge afforded to a person whose extradition is sought by a foreign government: political asylum |
| 4. | obsolete an institution for the shelter, treatment, or confinement of individuals, esp a mental hospital (formerly termed lunatic asylum) |
| [C15: via Latin from Greek asulon refuge, from asulos that may not be seized, from | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
asylum
early 15c., from L. asylum "sanctuary," from Gk. asylon "refuge," noun use of neut. of asylos "inviolable, safe from violence," from a- "without" + syle "right of seizure." So lit. "an inviolable place."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
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.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
They are welcome to the asylum they seek for their offence, since they take refuge in their folly.
Camille went mad and spent her last 30 years in an asylum.
Everybody that crosses the boarder must have their application for asylum tried before they are flown back.
The amount of effort and patience required to match these asylum inmates with their combat experiences is awe-inspiring.
Matching Quote
Nearby Words
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
