sanctuary
plural
1.
2. a. A sacred place, such as a church, in which fugitives formerly were immune to arrest. b. Immunity to arrest afforded by a sanctuary.
3. A place of refuge or asylum.
4. A reserved area in which birds and other animals, especially wild animals, are protected from hunting or molestation. See synonyms at shelter.
[Middle English, from Old French sainctuarie, from Late Latin sānctuārium, from Latin sānctus, sacred. See