oasis

Etymology

From Late Latin Oasis, from Ancient Greek Ὄασις (Óasis), from Demotic wḥj, from Egyptian wḥꜣt (“oasis, cauldron”), G43-V28-G1-X1:N25 Compare Sahidic Coptic ⲟⲩⲁϩⲉ (ouahe) and Arabic وَاحَة (wāḥa).

noun

1. A spring of fresh water, surrounded by a fertile region of vegetation, in a desert.
   It was the Lost Oasis, the Oasis of the vision in the sand. […] Deep-hidden in the hollow, beneath the cliffs, it lay; and round it the happy verdure spread for many a rood. […] Yes, the quest was ended, the Lost Oasis was the Found! 1892, James Yoxall, chapter 7, in The Lonely Pyramid
   On the edge of the dunes lies the oasis town of Dunhuang, a key strategic crossroads on the Silk Road as the routes divided to the west to skirt the Taklamakan to the north and south. 2015, Michael Welland, “Barriers and Corridors, Imports and Exports”, in The Desert: Lands of Lost Borders, Reaktion Books, →OCLC, page 317
2. (figurative) A quiet, peaceful place or situation separated from surrounding noise or bustle.
   The park was an oasis in the middle of the busy city.