refuge

Refuge is defined as a place where you are sheltered from danger, or to the condition of being sheltered from danger.

(noun)

An example of refuge is what you seek when you go to a church and ask them to protect you from rioters outside.
An example of refuge is a church that provides a place safe from danger.

See refuge in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

Origin: OFr < L refugium < refugere, to retreat < re-, back + fugere, to flee: see fugitive

transitive verb refuged, refuging

Archaic to give refuge to

intransitive verb

Archaic to take refuge

See refuge in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Protection or shelter, as from danger or hardship.
A place providing protection or shelter.
A source of help, relief, or comfort in times of trouble. See Synonyms at shelter.

verb ref·uged, ref·ug·ing, ref·ug·es
Archaic

verb, transitive

To give refuge to.

verb, intransitive

To take refuge.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin refugium

Origin: , from refugere, to run away

Origin: : re-, re-

Origin: + fugere, to flee