1. A sanctuary, or place of refuge and protection, where criminals and debtors found shelter, and from which they could not be taken without sacrilege. State v. Bacon, 6 Neb. 291; Cromie v. Institution of Mercy, 3 Bush (Ky.) 391. 2. Shelter; refuge; protection from the hand of justice. The word includes not only place, but also shelter, security, protection; and a fugitive from justice, who has committed a crime in a foreign country, “seeks an asylum” at all times when he claims the use of the territories of the United States. In re De Giacomo, 12 Blatchf. 395, Fed. Cas. No. 3,747. 3. An institution for the protection and reliefy of unfortunates, as asylums for the poor, for the deaf and dumb, or for the insane.