n.
Pronunciation: ' h ō s-t ə s
Function: noun
Date: 14th century
1 : a woman who entertains socially
2 a : a woman in charge of a public dining room who seats diners b : a female employee on a public conveyance (as an airplane) who manages the provisioning of food and attends passengers c : a woman who acts as a partner or companion to male patrons in a dance hall or bar