noun

1. a wafer of the bread used in a Eucharistic service
2. a consecrated Eucharistic wafer

Etymology: ME hoste < OFr hoiste < ML(Ec) hostia, consecrated host < L, animal sacrificed, prob. < hostire, to recompense, requite

noun

1. one who entertains guests either at home or elsewhere
2. a person who keeps an inn or hotel; innkeeper
3. a country or area that provides place and services for a competition or event the city will be host to the Olympics
4. 1. any organism on or in which a parasitic organism lives for nourishment or protection
   2. an individual, esp. an embryo, into which a graft is inserted
5. Comput. the main or central computer in a network
6. Radio, TV the person who conducts a program that features informal conversation, interviews, etc.

Etymology: ME hoste < OFr, host, guest < L hospes (gen. hospitis): see hospice

intransitive verb, transitive verb

noun

1. an army
2. a multitude; great number

Etymology: ME < OFr < ML hostis, army, hostile force < L: see hospice