sanctum
/'sæɳktəm/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A sacred or holy place, especially one used for pilgrimage or worship: A "sanctum" is a place considered sacred, often within a temple, church, or other religious building.
- A private room or place where one is free from interruption: A "sanctum" can also refer to a personal, private space, such as a study or office, where one can work or be alone without being disturbed.
Examples of Usage
Noun (Sacred Place):
- The inner sanctum of the temple was accessible only to the high priests.
- Pilgrims traveled for miles to visit the ancient sanctum.
Noun (Private Place):
- After a long day, he retreated to his home office, his personal sanctum.
- The library was her sanctum, a quiet place to read and think.
Advanced Usage
- "Sanctum sanctorum": This Latin phrase, meaning "holy of holies," is often used in English. It can refer to the most sacred part of a religious building or, humorously or metaphorically, to a person's most private room or retreat.
- The artifact was kept in the sanctum sanctorum of the cathedral.
- My workshop is my sanctum sanctorum; please don't enter without knocking.
Variants and Related Words
- Sanctuary (n): A place of refuge or safety; can also mean a sacred place or the holiest part of a temple.
- The bird sanctuary protects many species.
- The altar stood in the sanctuary of the church.
Synonyms
- Holy place: A location dedicated to religious worship.
- Sanctuary: A sacred or safe place.
- Retreat: A quiet or secluded place for rest or privacy.
- Study: A room used for reading, writing, or academic work.
Related Phrases
- Inner sanctum: This phrase emphasizes the most private or most sacred area within a larger space.
- Very few people are allowed into the CEO's inner sanctum.
- The rituals were performed in the inner sanctum of the shrine.
Noun
- a sacred place of pilgrimage
- a place of inviolable privacy
- he withdrew to his sanctum sanctorum, where the children could never go