réfugier

to take refuge, to shelter

verb reh-foo-ZHYEH Rare

Usage Note

Réfugier is almost always used reflexively as se réfugier ('to take refuge, to seek shelter'). The related noun un réfugié (m) / une réfugiée (f) means 'a refugee'. Se réfugier dans le silence ('to retreat into silence') is a common figurative use.

Examples

"Ils se sont réfugiés dans une grange pour la nuit."

Natural Translation

They took shelter in a barn for the night.

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