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Dictionary

a•sy•lum

Pronunciation: (u-sī'lum), [key]
—n.
1. (esp. formerly) an institution for the maintenance and care of the mentally ill, orphans, or other persons requiring specialized assistance.
2. an inviolable refuge, as formerly for criminals and debtors; sanctuary: He sought asylum in the church.
3. Internat. Law.
a. a refuge granted an alien by a sovereign state on its own territory.
b. a temporary refuge granted political offenders, esp. in a foreign embassy.
4. any secure retreat.

Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.

asyllabic

asymmetric

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