n. [ F. réfuge, L. refugium, fr. refugere to flee back; pref. re- + figere. SEe Fugitive. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Shelter or protection from danger or distress. [ 1913 Webster ]

Rocks, dens, and caves! But I in none of these
Find place or refuge. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

We might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us. Heb. vi. 18. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which shelters or protects from danger, or from distress or calamity; a stronghold which protects by its strength, or a sanctuary which secures safety by its sacredness; a place inaccessible to an enemy. [ 1913 Webster ]

The high hills are a refuger the wild goats. Ps. civ. 18. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed. Ps. ix. 9. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. An expedient to secure protection or defense; a device or contrivance. [ 1913 Webster ]

Their latest refuge
Was to send him. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Light must be supplied, among gracefulrefuges, by terracing &unr_;&unr_;&unr_; story in danger of darkness. Sir H. Wotton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Cities of refuge (Jewish Antiq.), certain cities appointed as places of safe refuge for persons who had committed homicide without design. Of these there were three on each side of Jordan. Josh. xx. --
House of refuge, a charitable institution for giving shelter and protection to the homeless, destitute, or tempted. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Shelter; asylum; retreat; covert. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To shelter; to protect. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. réfugié, fr. se réfugier to take refuge. See Refuge, n. ] 1. One who flees to a shelter, or place of safety. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Especially, one who, in times of persecution or political commotion, flees to a foreign power or country for safety; as, the French refugees who left France after the revocation of the edict of Nantes. [ 1913 Webster ]