The word 'hospital' originally came from Latin as 'hospes'

'Hospital' is a word borrowed from Latin 'hospes'. The word entered the English language some time around the 14th century.

hospital [noun] [14th century]

• a charitable institution for the needy, aged, infirm, or young
• an institution where the sick or injured are given medical or surgical care
• usually used in British English without an ...
• a repair shop for specified small objects

Meaning: a charitable institution for the needy; aged; infirm; or young; an institution where the sick or injured are given medical or surgical care usually used in British English without an article after a preposition; a repair shop for specified small objects a clock hospital.

Etymology: Middle English; from Anglo-French; from Medieval Latin hospitale hospice; guest house; from neuter of Latin hospitalis of a guest; from hospit-; hospes.

Topics: Medicine:PublicHealth.

Origin: From Latin to English.

See 'hospital' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Latin.

See more loan words from 1300s.