Definition of hospital

< hospitable

hospital corner >

hos·pi·tal    (hsp-tl, -ptl) KEY 

NOUN:

1. An institution that provides medical, surgical, or psychiatric care and treatment for the sick or the injured.
2. Chiefly British A charitable institution, such as an orphanage or a home for the elderly.
3. A repair shop for specified items: a doll hospital.
4. Archaic A hospice for travelers or pilgrims.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, hospice, from Old French ospital, from Medieval Latin hospitle, from neuter of Latin hospitlis, of a guest, from hospes, hospit-, guest; see ghos-ti- in Indo-European roots