sanctum sanctorum

[sangk-tawr-uh m, -tohr-]

noun

the holy of holies of the Biblical tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem.

sanctum(def 2).

Origin of sanctum sanctorum

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

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

Examples from the Web for sanctum sanctorum

Historical Examples of sanctum sanctorum

The grand parlor was the sanctum-sanctorum where the passion for cleaning was indulged without control.
Journeys Through Bookland, Vol. 8
Charles H. Sylvester

British Dictionary definitions for sanctum sanctorum

sanctum sanctorum

noun

Bible another term for the holy of holies

often facetious an especially private place

Word Origin for sanctum sanctorum

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

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

Culture definitions for sanctum sanctorum

sanctum sanctorum

[(sangk-tuhm sangk-tawr-uhm)]

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.