Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Host, Hoist, n.³ Also: hoste, hoast. [ME. hoost hoste (1303), OF. hoste, host, guest. Cf. Ost.]

1. A host, one who lodges and entertains another in his house; also, a hostess. b. The landlord of an inn or boarding-house. a1400 Leg. S. xvii. 1.
Cristis hoste, Martha Ib. 179.
Myn luffit hoste [L. dilecta hospita] 14.. Acts I. 11/2.
Gif … thai be put furth be the host of thar innis fastand 1513 Doug. i. iv. 65.
Acestes, his ryall host [Sm. hoist] 1600-1610 Melvill 698.
We could neither be pleisaunt ghaistis, nethir they pleisand hostis 1622-6 Bisset II. 286/18.
Gayus my hoistb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. (S.T.S.) MS. No. 527.
He that compts befor the host [1641. counts but his hoste] counts twyse 1599 Perth Kirk S. 278.
He was ane common host, and entertainer of strangers

2. A guest. (Also ME. and e.m.E., 1390–1559.) c1590 J. Stewart 180.
Of ane salutation of ane host to his hostes [= hostess]