Asylums definition

Asylums





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1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Asylum \A*sy"lum\, n.; pl. E. {Asylums}, L. {Asyla}. [L. asylum,
     Gr. ?, fr. ? exempt from spoliation, inviolable; 'a priv. + ?
     right of seizure.]
     1. A sanctuary or place of refuge and protection, where
        criminals and debtors found shelter, and from which they
        could not be forcibly taken without sacrilege.


        [1913 Webster]
  
              So sacred was the church to some, that it had the
              right of an asylum or sanctuary.      --Ayliffe.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The name was anciently given to temples, altars,
           statues of the gods, and the like. In later times
           Christian churches were regarded as asylums in the same
           sense.
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     2. Any place of retreat and security.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Earth has no other asylum for them than its own cold
              bosom.                                --Southey.
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     3. An institution for the protection or relief of some class
        of destitute, unfortunate, or afflicted persons; as, an
        asylum for the aged, for the blind, or for the insane; a
        lunatic asylum; an orphan asylum.
        [1913 Webster]

















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