refuge in WordNet English dictionary

1. a shelter from danger or hardship
   refuge  sanctuary  asylum 
   
2. act of turning to for assistance
   "have recourse to the courts"; "an appeal to his uncle was his last resort"
   recourse  resort  refuge 
   
3. something or someone turned to for assistance or security
   "his only recourse was the police"; "took refuge in lying"
   recourse  refuge  resort 
   
4. a safe place
   "He ran to safety"
   safety  refuge