sanctum
pronunciation
How to pronounce sanctum in British English:
UK [ˈsæŋktəm]
How to pronounce sanctum in American English:
US [ˈsæŋktəm]
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- Noun:
- a place of inviolable privacy
- a sacred place of pilgrimage
Word Origin
- sanctum (n.)
- 1570s, "holy place of the Jewish tabernacle," from Latin sanctum "a holy place," as in Late Latin sanctum sanctorum "holy of holies" (translating Greek to hagion ton hagiou, translating Hebrew qodesh haqqodashim), from neuter of sanctus "holy" (see saint (n.)). In English, sanctum sanctorum attested from c. 1400; in sense of "a person's private retreat" from 1706.
Example
- 1. She 'd never seen rhineland 's inner sanctum .
- 2. The inner sanctum that kreuger created and the way he dodged spontaneous encounters presage aspects of how madoff did business .
- 3. A blast from a huge bomb somehow smuggled into the inner sanctum will sow mistrust and suspicion at all levels .
- 4. China is run by a collective leadership , and many of the other seats in the politburo standing committee , decision-making 's inner sanctum , are undecided , analysts and party insiders say .
- 5. In an impassioned speech at paris 's military academy , sarkozy said france 's return to nato 's inner sanctum was long overdue .