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refuge - 5 dictionary results

ref⋅uge

  [ref-yooj] noun, verb, -uged, -ug⋅ing.
Use refuge in a Sentence
–noun
1. shelter or protection from danger, trouble, etc.: to take refuge from a storm.
2. a place of shelter, protection, or safety.
3. anything to which one has recourse for aid, relief, or escape.
–verb (used with object)
4. Archaic. to afford refuge to.
–verb (used without object)
5. Archaic. to take refuge.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < MF < L refugium, equiv. to refug(ere) to turn and flee, run away (re- re- + fugere to flee; see fugitive ) + -ium -ium

Synonyms:
1. security, safety. 2. asylum, retreat, sanctuary, haven, stronghold.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To refuge
ref·uge   (rěf'yōōj)   
n.  
  1. Protection or shelter, as from danger or hardship.
  2. A place providing protection or shelter.
  3. A source of help, relief, or comfort in times of trouble. See Synonyms at shelter.
v.   ref·uged, ref·ug·ing, ref·ug·es Archaic

v.   tr.
To give refuge to.
v.   intr.
To take refuge.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin refugium, from refugere, to run away : re-, re- + fugere, to flee.]
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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Refuge

Ref"uge\ (r?f"?j), n. [F. r['e]fuge, L. refugium, fr. refugere to flee back; pref. re- + figere. SEe Fugitive.]

1. Shelter or protection from danger or distress.

Rocks, dens, and caves! But I in none of these Find place or refuge. --Milton.

We might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us. --Heb. vi. 18.

2. That which shelters or protects from danger, or from distress or calamity; a stronghold which protects by its strength, or a sanctuary which secures safety by its sacredness; a place inaccessible to an enemy.

The high hills are a refuger the wild goats. --Ps. civ. 18.

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed. --Ps. ix. 9.

3. An expedient to secure protection or defense; a device or contrivance.

Their latest refuge Was to send him. --Shak.

Light must be supplied, among gracefulrefuges, by terracing ??? story in danger of darkness. --Sir H. Wotton.

Cities of refuge (Jewish Antiq.), certain cities appointed as places of safe refuge for persons who had committed homicide without design. Of these there were three on each side of Jordan. --Josh. xx.

House of refuge, a charitable institution for giving shelter and protection to the homeless, destitute, or tempted.

Syn: Shelter; asylum; retreat; covert.

Refuge

Ref"uge\ (r?f"?j), v. t. To shelter; to protect. [Obs.]
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : refuge
Spanish: refugio,
German: die Zuflucht,
Japanese: 避難
More Translations »

refuge 
c.1386, from O.Fr. refuge, from L. refugium "a taking refuge, place to flee back to," from re- "back" + fugere "to flee" (see fugitive) + -ium "place for."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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