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asylum

 - 6 dictionary results

a⋅sy⋅lum

[uh-sahy-luhm]
–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.
a. a refuge granted an alien by a sovereign state on its own territory.
b. a temporary refuge granted political offenders, esp. in a foreign embassy.
4. any secure retreat.

Origin:
1400–50; late ME; < L < Gk ásȳlon sanctuary, equiv. to a- a- 6 + sŷlon right of seizure


2. haven, shelter, retreat.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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a·sy·lum   (ə-sī'ləm)   
n.  
  1. An institution for the care of people, especially those with physical or mental impairments, who require organized supervision or assistance.

  2. A place offering protection and safety; a shelter.

  3. A place, such as a church, formerly constituting an inviolable refuge for criminals or debtors.

  4. The protection afforded by a sanctuary. See Synonyms at shelter.

  5. Protection and immunity from extradition granted by a government to a political refugee from another country.


[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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Word Origin & History

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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Legal Dictionary

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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Medical Dictionary

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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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.
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