I. ˈgest noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English gest, gist, from Old Norse gestr; akin to Old English gæst, giest guest, stranger, Old High German gast, Gothic gasts guest, stranger, Latin hostis stranger, enemy
1. obsolete : stranger
2.
a. : a person entertained in one's house or at one's table
had unexpected guests for supper
guest towels
invited guests for Christmas
b. : a person to whom hospitality (as of a home or club) is extended ; especially : one invited to participate in some activity (as an excursion) at the expense of another
played golf at the country club as the guest of one of the members
a theater party of six, the host and five guests
enjoyed guest privileges at several clubs
c. : a person who lodges, boards, or receives refreshment for pay (as at a hotel, boardinghouse, restaurant) whether permanently or transiently : patron
d. : a traveler who in return for compensation receives from an innkeeper or hotelkeeper for an indefinite time board, lodging, and entertainment and for whose safety and comfort and the safeguarding of whose property the innkeeper or hotelkeeper is responsible under law — compare lodger
e. : one who visits or travels in an area (as a state or province) beyond the boundaries of his established residence or work
f. : one who visits, travels or resides abroad by permission of a foreign country
guest of Canada
g. : a person who accepts transportation (as in a motor vehicle) for which he makes no financial recompense
3. : an organism sharing the dwelling of another ; usually : an insect inhabiting or breeding in a nest or gall of another insect often without causing much inconvenience to the original owner except by consuming the supply of food : inquiline — compare myrmecophile
4. : a mineral introduced into and usually displacing a preexistent mineral or rock
5.
a. or guest artist or guest star : a person usually of prominence in the entertainment world who appears temporarily on a program (as a radio or television show) or with an organization (as an orchestra or theatrical stock company)
a guest announcer
doubled his income by making guest appearances
b. : a person not a regular member of a cast or company (as a member of a studio audience) who participates in a show
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English gesten, from gest, n.
transitive verb
: to receive or entertain as a guest
local members guested most of the delegates
intransitive verb
1. archaic : to be or act the part of a guest
2. : to appear as a guest (as on radio or television or in a theatrical performance)