ˌkarəˈvan(t)sərē noun
or car·a·van·se·rai -səˌrī
( plural caravansaries or caravanserais or caravanserai )
Etymology: modification of Persian kārwānsarāī, from kārwān caravan + sarāī palace, large house, inn; akin to Avestan thrāya- to protect
1. : an inn in eastern countries where caravans rest at night that is commonly a large bare building surrounding a court
stopped for food and shelter at an unpromising caravansary situated on a small oasis — L.C.Douglas
2. : hotel , inn
a caravansary for cosmopolitans with more money than sense — Frank Clune