noun pl. sanctuaries -·ar′·ies

1. a holy place, as a building set aside for worship of the divinity or of one or more deities; specif.,
   1. the ancient Temple at Jerusalem
   2. a Christian church
   3. any church or temple
   4. a particularly holy place within a church or temple, as the part around the altar, the holy of holies in the Jewish Temple, etc.
2. 1. a place of refuge or protection; asylum: orig., fugitives from justice were immune from arrest in churches or other sacred places
   2. immunity from punishment or the law, as by taking refuge in a church, etc.
3. a reservation where animals or birds are sheltered for breeding purposes and may not be hunted or trapped

Etymology: ME < MFr saintuaire < LL sanctuarium < L sanctus, sacred: see saint