Xenos
/ˈkse.nos/noun
A Greek word meaning a stranger, guest, or foreigner.
Did you know?In ancient Greek culture, the xenos was not just an outsider but someone bound by the powerful sacred law of hospitality, making the word a social and almost ritual concept, not just a label.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ǵhos-ti-
“A stranger, guest, or person bound by reciprocal hospitality.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
xénos (ξένος)
“A stranger, foreigner, guest, or host-guest in a relationship of hospitality.”
Classical Greek
Greek
xenía (ξενία)
“Hospitality toward strangers; guest-friendship.”
Late Greek / New Testament Greek
Greek
xenikós (ξενικός)
“Foreign, strange, belonging to strangers.”
Modern English
English
xenon / xenophobia / xenial
“A noble gas; fear of foreigners; hospitable or friendly to guests.”