sanctum

[ sangk-tuh m ]

/ ˈsæŋk təm /

noun, plural sanc·tums, sanc·ta [sangk-tuh] /ˈsæŋk tə/.

a sacred or holy place.

an inviolably private place or retreat.

Nearby words

sanctitude, sanctity, sanctuary, sanctuary city, sanctuary lamp, sanctum, sanctum sanctorum, sanctus, sanctus bell, sanctus turret, sand

Origin of sanctum

1570–80; noun use of neuter of Latin sānctus; see Sanctus

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sancta

She became abbess of the nuns of Sancta Clara, and castigated her body.
History of the Jews, Vol. IV (of VI)|Heinrich Graetz
Again the people fell upon their knees, and called out, "Sancta Rosalia, ora pro nobis!"
The Devil's Elixir|E. T. A. Hoffmann
Oh, sancta not simplicitas, but —— Oh, clear-sighted Republican!
Diary from March 4, 1861, to November 12, 1862|Adam Gurowski
Even to-day, religious cults have sacred vases in their Sancta Sanctorum.
The Montessori Method|Maria Montessori

Sancta Sophia was the place appointed for the services, and Constantine had published his intention to be present.
The Prince of India, Volume II|Lew. Wallace

British Dictionary definitions for sancta

sanctum

/ (ˈsæŋktəm) /

noun plural -tums or -ta (-tə)

a sacred or holy place

a room or place of total privacy or inviolability

Word Origin for sanctum

C16: from Latin, from sanctus holy

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

sanctum

noun, plural sanc·tums, sanc·ta [sangk-tuh] /ˈsæŋk tə/.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of sanctum

Examples from the Web for sancta

British Dictionary definitions for sancta

sanctum

noun plural -tums or -ta (-tə)

Word Origin for sanctum