asylum

a-sy-lum · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Protection or shelter given by a government to political refugees from another country.

  2. 2.

    A place of refuge or safety.

  3. 3.

    (Historical) An institution for the care of people with mental illness.

Forms

plural: asylums

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    seek asylum — to request political protection
  • •
    grant asylum — to provide political protection
  • •
    asylum seeker — a person requesting refugee status

Related words

Antonyms: danger, exposure
See also: refugee, sanctuary, shelter
Synonyms: haven, refuge, sanctuary, shelter

Etymology

From Latin asylum, from Greek asylon ("sanctuary, refuge"), from a- ("without") + sylon ("right of seizure"). Originally referred to a place where fugitives were protected from arrest.