Etymology Map
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Asylum

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means protection granted to a refugee; a former term for a psychiatric hospital

Where does the word "asylum" come from? It comes from Greek asylon, passing through Latin before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
asylon
Greek · ancient
"sanctuary"
'a-', not, plus 'sylē', right of seizure: a temple where fugitives could not be taken
2
Stage 2 of 3
asylum
Latin · ancient
"refuge"
a place of refuge
3
Stage 3 of 3
asylum
English · 1400s
"refuge; institution"
later an institution for the mentally ill; 'political asylum' dates from the 1950s
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Asylum’s story begins in Greek: asylon meant “sanctuary.” 'a-', not, plus 'sylē', right of seizure: a temple where fugitives could not be taken. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as asylum. A place of refuge. It reached English by 1400s as asylum. Later an institution for the mentally ill; 'political asylum' dates from the 1950s. Today, asylum means protection granted to a refugee; a former term for a psychiatric hospital.