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Host

//həʊst// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun

1
One which receives or entertains a guest, socially, commercially, or officially.
"A good host is always considerate of the guest’s needs."
2
A multitude of people arrayed as an army; used also in religious senses, as: Heavenly host (of angels)
"Why, Plugson, even thy own host is all in mutiny: Cotton is conquered; but the ‘bare backs’ — are worse covered than ever!"
3
The consecrated bread of the Eucharist.
"Do you pray to the Holy Ghost when you suck your host? / Do you read who's dead in the Irish Post?"
4
an animal or plant that nourishes and supports a parasite; it does not benefit and is often harmed by the association wordnet
5
One that provides a facility for an event.

Show 17 more definitions

6
A large number of items; a large inventory.
"The dealer stocks a host of parts for my Model A."
7
(computer science) a computer that provides client stations with access to files and printers as shared resources to a computer network wordnet
8
A person or organization responsible for running an event.
"Our company is host of the annual conference this year."
9
a technical name for the bread used in the service of Mass or Holy Communion wordnet
10
A moderator or master of ceremonies for a performance.
"The host was terrible, but the acts themselves were good."
11
a vast multitude wordnet
12
The primary member of a system, typically the member who fronts most often.
13
archaic terms for army wordnet
14
Any computer attached to a network. Internet
15
any organization that provides resources and facilities for a function or event wordnet
16
A cell or organism which harbors another organism or biological entity, usually a parasite.
"Viruses depend on the host that they infect in order to be able to reproduce."
17
the owner or manager of an inn wordnet
18
An organism bearing certain genetic material, with respect to its cells.
"The so-called junk DNA is known, so far, to provide no apparent benefit to its host."
19
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there wordnet
20
A paid male companion offering conversation and in some cases sex, as in certain types of bar in Japan.
21
(medicine) recipient of transplanted tissue or organ from a donor wordnet
22
a person who acts as host at formal occasions (makes an introductory speech and introduces other speakers) wordnet

Verb

1
To perform the role of a host.
"Our company will host the annual conference this year."
2
be the host of or for wordnet
3
To lodge at an inn. intransitive, obsolete
"Where you shall host."
4
To run software made available to a remote user or process. Internet
"Kremvax hosts a variety of services."

Etymology

Etymology 1

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *gʰóstis Proto-Indo-European *pótis Proto-Indo-European *gʰóstipotis Proto-Italic *hostipotis Latin hospes Old French ostebor. Middle English hoste English host From Middle English hoste, from Old French oste (French: hôte), from Latin hospitem, accusative of hospes (“a host, also a sojourner, visitor, guest; hence, a foreigner, a stranger”), from *hostipotis, an old compound of hostis and the root of potis, from Proto-Indo-European *gʰóstipotis (“master of guests”), from *gʰóstis (“stranger, guest, enemy”) and *pótis (“owner, master, host, husband”). Used in English since 13th century.

Etymology 2

Etymology 3

From Middle English oost, borrowed from Old French ost, oste, hoste, from Latin hostis (“foreign enemy”), from Proto-Indo-European *gʰóstis (as opposed to inimicus (“personal enemy”)). Doublet of guest.

Etymology 4

From Middle English host, oist, ost, from Old French hoiste, from Latin hostia (“sacrificial victim”). Doublet of hostie.

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