English word host comes from Proto-Indo-European *gʰóstis (Enemy. Guest. Stranger, host.)
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| *gʰóstis | Proto-Indo-European (ine) | Enemy. Guest. Stranger, host. |
| *hostis | Proto-Italic (itc-pro) | Stranger, guest. |
| hostis | Latin (lat) | (plural only) the enemy. An enemy of the state, a stranger. |
| hospitem | Latin (lat) | |
| host | Old French (842-ca. 1400) (fro) | |
| oost | Middle English (1100-1500) (enm) | Host, army (clarification of this definition is being sought). |
| host | English (en) | A multitude of people arrayed as an army; used also in religious senses, as: Heavenly host (of angels). A large number of items; a large inventory. |