Xenium
/ˈziː.ni.əm/noun
A gift given to a guest or stranger, especially one offered as a mark of hospitality.
Did you know?Xenium is tied to the Greek root xenos, meaning both “stranger” and “guest,” a double meaning that helped shape ancient ideas of hospitality as a binding social law.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ξένιον (xénion)
“a gift for a guest or stranger; hospitality offering”
Classical Latin
Latin
xenium
“a present or token of hospitality, especially one given to a guest”
Middle English
English
xenium
“a gift or present, especially one given to a guest”
Modern English
English
xenium
“a gift presented to a guest or visitor”
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