host1
n.
- a person who receives or entertains other people as guests.
▸the presenter of a television or radio programme.
- Biology an animal or plant on or in which a parasite or commensal organism lives.
- the recipient of transplanted tissue or a transplanted organ.
- a computer which mediates multiple access to databases or provides other services to a network.
- an area in which particular people or things are found:
the reef is host to shoals of fish.
v.
act as host at (an event) or for (a television or radio programme).
Etymology
ME: from OFr. hoste, from L. hospes, hospit- ‘host, guest’.
host2
n.
-
(a host/hosts of)
a large number of.
- archaic an army.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. ost, hoost, from L. hostis ‘stranger, enemy’ (in med. L. ‘army’).
host3
n.
(
the Host)
the bread consecrated in the Eucharist.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. hoiste, from L. hostia ‘victim’.