| 释义 |
inner sanctum, n.
Brit. |ˌɪnə ˈsaŋ(k)təm|, U.S. |ˈˌɪnər ˈsæn(k)təm|
Plural inner sanctums, inner sancta
[‹ inner adj. + sanctum n.]
1. A private place to which only a select few are admitted. Also fig.
1843U.S. Democratic Rev. Apr. 387/2 Let no inkling of our present confidential whisper get out beyond the inner sanctums of our own private party caucuses. 1890G. W. Walling Recoll. N.Y. Chief of Police vi. 98 He..had descended by the water-pipe and instinctively taken refuge in the inner sanctum of the establishment. 1914Daily News 15 Jan. 12, I was admitted to the inner sanctum of the statuary-makers' haunts. 1964A. Edel in I. L. Horowitz New Sociol. 220 Some value-attitudes..are ushered into the inner sanctum of science. 1991Righting Words 4 8/1 A rap session held within the inner sancta of the magazine's offices. 2002R. G. Mitchell Dancing at Armageddon i. 8 Even the inner sanctum of personal identity comes under assault.
2. An inner chamber, shrine, etc., in a temple or other religious building, considered as especially sacred and often with access limited to a small number of priests or initiates. Cf. sanctum sanctorum n. 1.
1861Jrnl. Royal Geogr. Soc. 31 341 The inner sanctum of the temple itself, with its altar divided into two. 1913Asian Music 2 18 This is one of the few times of the year when the deity is removed from the dark inner sanctum of the temple and taken before the people. 1931Times 27 July 9/1 This [gate] gave access..to an inner sanctum..where stood an altar of characteristic Minoan type. 2001Y. Martel Life of Pi (2002) xvi. 48 My heart still skips a beat when I catch sight of the murti, of God Residing, in the inner sanctum of the temple. |