What does "asylum" mean?

Asylum: Any place of retreat and security. Earth has no other asylum for them than its own cold bosom. Southey.

Additional senses

  1. 2.An institution for the protection or relief of some class of destitute, unfortunate, or afflicted persons; as, an asylum for the aged, for the blind, or for the insane; a lunatic asylum; an orphan asylum.

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