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Glite Dictionary
hospita

hospita

1 9.9
An old word for a woman who welcomes and looks after guests
  • noun
  • /ˈhɑːspɪtə/
  • Archaic
: anfitriona
  • The hospita welcomed her guests with open arms.

Examples

  • The hospita prepared a grand feast to welcome her guests.

  • In ancient Rome, a hospita was essential for hospitality.

  • In the ancient manor, the hospita welcomed travelers with warmth and generosity.

  • The letter described a gracious hospita who cared for her guests during their stay.

  • Old literature sometimes mentions a hospita as the lady of the house.

  • As a hospita, she felt it was her duty to ensure everyone felt comfortable and at home.

  • In ancient times, the hospita often provided shelter and food to travelers in need.

Synonyms

house guest
vshospita
16 2.1

A person who is invited to stay in someone's home

is archaic and specifically applies to a female

Surface Forms

hospita singular
hospitae plural

Etymology

Hospita comes from the old Latin word hospes, which means 'guest' or 'host' and is the same root as hospital, hospitality, and the English word host. So a hospita was a woman who received and cared for guests, which is why the word means a female host or guest today.