Definition of asylum

The word "asylum" originated in ancient Greece, where it was used to describe a sanctuary or a place of refuge. The Greek word "asyla" translated as "unharmed" and "unviolated" provided the root for the English word "asylum." In ancient times, asylums were places where people took shelter for religious or political reasons. For example, in Greece, a person seeking protection from harm could run to an asylum, and to do so, they would have to toss aside a sacred object or perform some other ritual as a symbolic offering. The meaning of asylum evolved over time, and by the medieval period, it was widely used to describe a hospital or a shelter for the elderly or the poor. It was also used for institutions that cared for mentally ill individuals. The term "insane asylum" emerged in the late 18th century, and it was commonly used to describe institutions for the mentally ill. These asylums were often overcrowded, understaffed, and poorly funded, and they became notorious for their mistreatment of patients. Today, the word "asylum" is still associated with mental institutions, but it's also used more broadly to describe a place of safe haven for people seeking protection from danger, such as political persecution or violence. The meaning of the word "asylum" continues to evolve, but its roots in ancient Greek remain unchanged - a place of safety and refuge.