I. ˈhä]ˌspi]d. ə l, ]t ə l also ]_spə̇] sometimes ˈhȯ] noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin hospitale, from Latin, bedroom, from neuter of hospitalis of a guest, hospitable, from hospit-, hospes host, stranger, guest + -alis -al — more at host
1. archaic : hospice 1
an adjacent hospital founded by the princess … for the reception of pilgrims — Horace Walpole
2. : a charitable institution for the needy, aged, infirm, or young ; specifically : one for the education of the young
received his formal education at Christ's Hospital in London
3.
a. : an institution or place where sick or injured persons are given medical or surgical care — usually used in British English without an article when the object of a preposition
so badly wounded that he died in hospital — Manchester Guardian Weekly
diagnosed frostbitten toes and removed him immediately to hospital — Alexander Tewnion
— compare clinic , sanatorium
b. : a place for the care and treatment of sick or injured animals
4. : a workshop for the repair of any of various small objects
a doll hospital
a fountain-pen hospital
II. adjective
Etymology: Latin hospitalis
obsolete : hospitable