Hos"pi*tal (?), n. [OF.
hospital, ospital, F. hôpital, LL.
hospitale (or perh. E. hospital is directly from the
Late Latin), from L. hospitalis relating to a guest,
hospitalia apartments for guests, fr. hospes guest. See
Host a landlord, and cf. Hostel, Hotel,
Spital.] 1. A place for shelter or
entertainment; an inn. [Obs.] Spenser.
2. A building in which the sick, injured, or
infirm are received and treated; a public or private institution
founded for reception and cure, or for the refuge, of persons
diseased in body or mind, or disabled, infirm, or dependent, and in
which they are treated either at their own expense, or more often by
charity in whole or in part; a tent, building, or other place where
the sick or wounded of an army cared for.
Hospital ship, a vessel fitted up for a
floating hospital. -- Hospital Sunday, a
Sunday set apart for simultaneous contribution in churches to
hospitals; as, the London Hospital Sunday.
Hos"pi*tal, a. [L. hospitalis:
cf. OF. hospital.] Hospitable. [Obs.]
Howell.
