sanctum sanctorum

From Latin sanctum sanctōrum, translating Hebrew קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים‎ (Qṓḏeš HaqQŏḏāšîm).

sanctum sanctorum

1. The Holy of Holies in the Jewish temple.
2. A person's most private retreat or sanctuary.
   • 1864, Charlotte Bronte, The Professor:

     Mdlle Reuter turned her eye laterally on me, to ascertain, probably, whether I was collected enough to be ushered into her sanctum sanctorum.

Literal translation of Hebrew קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים‎ (Qṓḏeš HaqQŏḏāšîm)

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /ˈsaːnk.tum saːnkˈtoː.rum/, [ˈsaːŋk.tũ saːŋkˈtoː.rũ]
• (Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈsank.tum sankˈto.rum/, [ˈsaŋk.tum saŋkˈtoː.rum]

sānctum sānctōrum n (genitive sānctī sānctōrum); second declension

1. Holy of Holies; holiest place

Second declension.

• adytum

• sanciō
• sānctus