Hospitality
/ˌhɒspɪˈtælɪti/noun
The friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.
Did you know?In ancient Rome, hospitality was so sacred that breaking the bond with a guest could lead to curses or divine retribution, reflecting the power of the host-guest relationship.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʰostis
“stranger or guest, often implying a sacred bond.”
Latin
Latin
hospes
“guest or host, signifying a relationship of care and protection.”
Old French
Old French
hospitalité
“quality of being a host, derived from the Latin 'hospitalitas'.”
Middle English
Middle English
hospitalite
“the act of welcoming guests, rooted in the notion of generosity.”
Modern English
English
hospitality
“the friendly reception and treatment of guests, carrying forward ancient traditions of care.”