Asylum Meaning

Asylum

Definitions and Meaning in English

1. Protection granted to individuals in a foreign country because they have suffered persecution or fear persecution due to race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.
2. A place of refuge or safety, particularly for those seeking protection from danger or hardship.
3. Historically, an institution offering shelter and care for people with mental health conditions, often referred to as a “mental asylum.”
4. The legal right to seek refuge in a foreign country due to threats in one’s home country.
5. A place that offers shelter or protection from harm or danger.

History and Origin

The word asylum originates from the Greek word asylon, meaning “a place of refuge” or “a sanctuary.” It comes from a- (meaning “not”) and sylo (meaning “to take or seize”), essentially referring to a place where one is not subject to seizure or persecution. Historically, the term was used to describe sacred spaces or temples offering protection. Over time, it evolved to refer more specifically to places where individuals could seek refuge, particularly in the context of those fleeing persecution. By the 19th century, asylum was commonly used to refer to institutions that provided care for the mentally ill, although this usage is now considered outdated and has been replaced by more respectful terms.

Detailed Explanation

Asylum generally refers to the protection offered to individuals in a foreign country due to a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country. This protection can be related to race, religion, nationality, political beliefs, or membership in a social group that is threatened in their homeland. The process of seeking asylum is typically part of international refugee law, where the individual applies to stay in a foreign country rather than return to their homeland. In another context, asylum historically referred to institutions that housed people with mental health issues, although this is now less common in modern usage. The modern concept emphasizes the protection and safety of individuals fleeing dangerous situations.

Example Sentences

1. The refugees applied for asylum in the neighboring country after fleeing violence in their homeland.
2. The government granted him asylum because he faced persecution for his political beliefs.
3. Many people seek asylum in the United States due to conflicts in their home countries.
4. The country’s asylum laws allow individuals to stay temporarily while their case is reviewed.
5. After the war, thousands of citizens sought asylum in neighboring countries.
6. She was granted asylum after proving that she was at risk of religious persecution.
7. The asylum application process can take months, depending on the case’s complexity.
8. In the past, the mental hospital was referred to as an asylum for those with psychiatric conditions.
9. The asylum seekers were housed in temporary shelters while their applications were being processed.

Synonyms with Short Explanation

1. Refuge – Protection or shelter from danger or distress, similar to asylum in offering safety.
2. Sanctuary – A place of safety or refuge, often used interchangeably with asylum in contexts of protection.
3. Haven – A safe place offering protection from harm, similar to the concept of asylum.
4. Shelter – A place providing protection or refuge, often in the context of seeking asylum from danger.
5. Safe haven – A refuge or sanctuary, often used to describe the protection offered by asylum.

Related Words with Short Explanation

1. Refugee – A person who seeks asylum due to fear of persecution in their home country.
2. Persecution – The systematic mistreatment or oppression of individuals, often a key reason for seeking asylum.
3. Exile – The state of being forced to live outside one’s home country, often linked to the need for asylum.
4. Immigrant – A person who moves to another country, which can sometimes involve seeking asylum.
5. Protection – The act of providing safety or shelter, which is central to the concept of asylum.

More Matches with Short Explanation

1. Refuge – A place where individuals can seek protection, similar to asylum.
2. Sanctuary – A legally recognized place of refuge, especially for those fleeing persecution, like asylum.
3. Asylum seeker – A person who has fled their country and applied for asylum in another nation.
4. Political asylum – A specific type of asylum granted to individuals fleeing political persecution.
5. Displacement – The forced movement of people, often leading to the need for asylum in another country.

Antonyms

1. Exile – The state of being forced to live outside one’s country, often in contrast to the protection offered by asylum.
2. Persecution – Oppressive treatment, often the reason people seek asylum, making it an opposite condition.
3. Hostility – Unfriendly or aggressive behavior, the opposite of the refuge and safety provided by asylum.
4. Danger – The threat of harm or violence, the condition people seek protection from through asylum.
5. Oppression – The prolonged cruel or unjust treatment, often the reason for seeking asylum.