Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

   3. An expedient to secure protection or defense; a device or
      contrivance.

            Their latest refuge Was to send him.  --Shak.

            Light must be supplied, among gracefulrefuges, by
            terracing ??? story in danger of darkness. --Sir H.
                                                  Wotton.

   {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.

   Syn: Shelter; asylum; retreat; covert.