(a) Refuge, protection; relief, help, comfort; (b) cite of ~, city of refuge or sanctuary under Mosaic law [cp. cite of flight, s.v. cite n. 3.(b)]; also fig.; haven of ~, the Virgin Mary; hous of ~; place of ~, a place of safety, stronghold; also = cite of ~ [quot.: a1425, 1st]; (c) a place of refuge; a sanctuary, shelter, or stronghold; also fig.; also, the right of sanctuary; (d) a provider of assistance, protection, or comfort; a protector, helper; (e) a means or source of protection, help, or comfort; a remedy, recourse; connen (knouen) no ~, to know no remedy, no way out, nothing to do; withouten ~, without recourse or escape; (f) nourishment; also fig.