Host
/hoʊst/noun
A person who receives or entertains guests.
Did you know?The term 'host' originally referred to a sacrificial offering in ancient rites, where it was believed the divine would be invited to partake in the feast.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʰóstis
“stranger or guest, often implying a connection to sacrifice.”
Old English
Old English
hōst
“the term for a guest or a person providing hospitality.”
Latin
Latin
hostis
“enemy, stranger, which later evolved to mean guest.”
Middle English
Middle English
hoste
“a person who entertains or provides hospitality.”
Modern English
English
host
“a person who welcomes guests, retaining ties to its sacrificial origins.”