sanctum, sanctum sanctorum. The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993

Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993.

sanctum, sanctum sanctorum (nn.)


Literally, “a holy place,” and “the holy of holies.” These religious terms are often applied figuratively—and usually hyperbolically or ironically—to places that can be entered only by the privileged and the most privileged, respectively. Inner sanctum is a related cliché.	1