HOST, noun [Latin hostis, a stranger, an enemy, probably of the same family. See Hospitable.]

1. One who entertains another at his own house, without reward.

Homer never entertained guests or hosts with long speeches.

2. One who entertains another at his house for reward; an innkeeper; a landlord.

3. A guest; one who is entertained at the house of another. The innkeeper says of the traveler, he has a good host and the traveler says of his landlord, he has a kind host [See Guest.]

HOST, noun [Latin hostis, a stranger, an enemy.] The sense is probably transferred from a single foe to an army of foes.]

1. An army; a number of men embodied for war.

2. Any great number or multitude.

HOST, noun [Latin hostia, a victim or sacrifice, from hostis, an enemy.]

In the Romish church, the sacrifice of the mass, or the consecrated wafer, representing the body of Christ, or as the Catholics allege, transubstantiated into his own body.

HOST, verb intransitive To lodge at an inn; to take up entertainment. [Little used.]

HOST, verb transitive To give entertainment to. [Not used.]