asylum
a·sy·lum (ə-sīʹləm)n. 1. An institution for the care of people, especially those with physical or mental impairments, who require organized supervision or assistance. 2. A place offering protection and safety; a shelter. 3. A place, such as a church, formerly constituting an inviolable refuge for criminals or debtors. 4. The protection afforded by a sanctuary. See Synonyms at shelter. 5. Protection and immunity from extradition granted by a government to a political refugee from another country. [Middle English asilum, refuge, from Latin asȳlum, from Greek asūlon, sanctuary, from neuter of asūlos, inviolable : a-, without; see a-1 + sūlon, right of seizure.]
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