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Where does the word "hospitable" come from? It comes from Latin hospes, passing through French before entering English (1570s).
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Where does the word "hospitable" come from? It comes from Latin hospes, passing through French before entering English (1570s).
Hospitable’s story begins in Latin: hospes meant “host, guest.” The root of 'hospital' and 'hotel'. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as hospitable. Medieval hospices run by monks sheltered pilgrims. It reached English by 1570s as hospitable. 'inhospitable' terrain dates from the 1600s. Today, hospitable means friendly and welcoming to guests.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient hospes "host, guest", the root of 'hospital' and 'hotel'.
- Stage 2 · French · 1500s hospitable "hospitable", medieval hospices run by monks sheltered pilgrims.
- Stage 3 · English · 1570s hospitable "welcoming", 'inhospitable' terrain dates from the 1600s.