sanctum sanctorum

[ sangk-tawr-uhm, -tohr- ]

noun

1. the holy of holies of the Biblical tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem.
2. sanctum ( def 2 ).

sanctum sanctorum

/ sæŋkˈtɔːrəm /

noun

1. Bible another term for the holy of holies
2. facetious.
   an especially private place

sanctum sanctorum

1. Latin for “holy of holies.” The place in the Jewish temple in Jerusalem (see also Jerusalem ) where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. By extension, a sacred and private place.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanctum sanctorum¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin sānctum sānctōrum, translation of Hebrew qōdhesh haqqodhāshīm holy of holies

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanctum sanctorum¹

C14: from Latin, literally: holy of holies, rendering Hebrew qōdesh haqqodāshīm

Example Sentences

The doors of the Opera, that sanctum sanctorum, was at length to be opened to him.

From Project Gutenberg

He was busied in this personal experiment, when a visitor was announced and ushered into his sanctum sanctorum.

From Project Gutenberg

The grubs' dormitory is the sanctum sanctorum which no outsider must enter under pain of death.

From Project Gutenberg

And their religious temples were constructed upon the same model, with an outer court and an inner court,—a sanctum sanctorum.

From Project Gutenberg

Lady Katrine and Churchill laid their heads together; here, in this very sanctum sanctorum.

From Project Gutenberg