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

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

Hostes, n. Also: hostesse. [e.m.E. and ME. hostes(se (14th c.), ostesse (c 1290), OF. ostesse.]

a. A hostess; spec., the mistress of an inn. 1375 Barb. iv. 635 (C).
His hostes [H. osteis] com rycht till hym thar, And quhen that scho [etc.] c1590 J. Stewart 180.
Ane salutation of ane host to his hostes

b. A female guest. 1581-1623 James VI Poems I. 155/388.
Uell oucht I for to knou thee [sc. Fever, as a femin. personif.] ... Quho four yeiris hadd thee in my hairt for hostesse all the quhyle