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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Sanctuar(e, n. Also: sanctwar, sanctuair(e. [North. and east-midl. ME santuare, seyntwar(e (Cursor M.), saynt-ware (Alexander), saintuaire (Gower), OF saintuaire (c1155 in Larousse), MF sanctuaire (c1380 in Larousse). Cf. Sanctuary n.]

1. A holy or consecrated place; esp. a place reserved to priests and other religious initiates. Also fig. 1513 Doug. v xii 181.
Ane hallowit schaw on breid, as sanctuar, Plantit thai haue, and stabillit prestis thar Ib. vi iv 48.
Outwith al the sanctuar [L. luco] hy ȝow, hay Ib. viii x 7.
Thar growys a gret schaw … Quhilk is in wirschip haldyn … As sanctuar [Ruddim. sanctuare] 1531 Bell. Boece II 41.
All the kirkis and sanctuaris [M. sanctuarijs; L. loca sacra] of Kent war suspendit with Cristin blude 1535 Stewart 3404.
Bayth king and lord gaif thame [sc. the Druids] authoritie In sanctuar for to make ceremonie Ib. 20748.
Alaricus … command hes gevin … Fra all slauchter … for till abstene In sanctuar [heading in the kirk] Ib. 27623.
Thair band with oblissing and aith On sacrament in sanctuar wes swornefig. a1561 Norvell Meroure 15a.
So Christ our Lord was not bound priest … But Melchisedech … high priest & King togidder … And entred ones, in to the sanctuair By his owne blood, his priesthoode to declair, Where he offred his blessed fleshe also

b. specif. An inner, especially holy part of a temple or church; the area round the altar in a Christian church.The Compl. quot. may belong in 1 above. a1400 Leg. S. vii 65.
That he of the apostolis all In-to the sanctwar [can] ga, Quhen-euir he wald his prayeris ma 1533 Boece 51b.
King Fergus … committit the cure hereof [sc. engraved tablets] to kirkmen to sett the samyn in sanctuare [L. sacrario] and thare diligentlie to be kepit 1549 Compl. 76/4.
The tempil … the goldin alter, the chandleris of lycht ande al the goldin veschel … the coupis tassis [etc.] … ande al the goldin ornamentis of the sanctuar

2. A sacred place providing immunity from arrest for fugitives. = Sanctuary n. 2. 1469 Acts II 96/1.
Mony personis … in trast that thai salbe defendit throw the immunite of haly kirk and girth and passis & remanis in sanctuaris 1554 Corr. M. Lorraine 387.
Quhay com to ane sanctuaire or gyrth callit Navidaill