Host

Host (hōst), n. [LL. hostia sacrifice, victim, from hostire to strike.] (R. C. Ch.) The consecrated wafer, believed to be the body of Christ, which in the Mass is offered as a sacrifice; also, the bread before consecration.

☞ In the Latin Vulgate the word was applied to the Savior as being an offering for the sins of men.

Host, n. [OE. host, ost, OF. host, ost, fr. L. hostis enemy, LL., army. See Guest, and cf. Host a landlord.] 1. An army; a number of men gathered for war.

A host so great as covered all the field. Dryden.

2. Any great number or multitude; a throng.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God. Luke ii. 13.

All at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils. Wordsworth.

Host, n. [OE. host, ost, OF. hoste, oste, F. hôte, from L. hospes a stranger who is treated as a guest, he who treats another as his guest, a hostl prob. fr. hostis stranger, enemy (akin to E. guest a visitor) + potis able; akin to Skr. pati master, lord. See Host an army, Possible, and cf. Hospitable, Hotel.] One who receives or entertains another, whether gratuitously or for compensation; one from whom another receives food, lodging, or entertainment; a landlord. Chaucer. "Fair host and Earl." Tennyson.

Time is like a fashionable host, That slightly shakes his parting guest by the hand. Shak.

Host, v. t. To give entertainment to. [Obs.] Spenser.

Host, v. i. To lodge at an inn; to take up entertainment. [Obs.] "Where you shall host." Shak.