A fertile area in a desert where water is found, typically with vegetation and sometimes a settlement. Metaphorically, a place or situation offering relief or respite from difficulty.
From Greek 'oasis' which came from an Egyptian word, possibly Coptic 'wahe' or 'ouahe'. The metaphorical sense of refuge or relief emerged in English during the 19th century, drawing on the literal meaning of sanctuary in harsh conditions.
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