(a) One who entertains guests in his own home, one who invites guests to a feast, a host; (b) the landlord of an inn or lodging house, innkeeper [often difficult to distinguish from (a)]; (c) a landlord having supervisory power; esp. the landlord of an alien merchant, who acted as his official adviser, supervised his business transaction, and received a commission for his services; ben under ~, to come under the supervision of such a landlord; compellen (putten) unto ~, oblige (sb.) to be under such supervision; gon to ~, lodge with such a host and come under his supervision.

(a) An invited guest, a guest at a feast or other meal; a stranger or traveller entertained in one's home; taken to ~, to take (sb.) as a guest, entertain (sb.); (b) a paying guest, a guest at an inn or lodging house; (c) hostes man, servant to the guests; (d) a vassal or dependent.

As surname.