Definition: host

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7

host
     n 1: a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a
          party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for
          them while they are there
     2: a vast multitude [syn: horde, legion]
     3: an animal or plant that nourishes and supports a parasite;
        the host does not benefit and is often harmed by the
        association [ant: parasite]
     4: a person who acts as host at formal occasions (makes an
        introductory speech and introduces other speakers) [syn: master
        of ceremonies, emcee]
     5: archaic terms for army [syn: legion]
     6: any organization that provides resources and facilities for
        a function or event; "Atlanta was chosen to be host for
        the Olympic Games"
     7: (medicine) recipient of transplanted tissue or organ from a
        donor
     8: the owner or manager of an inn [syn: innkeeper]
     9: a technical name for the bread used in the service of Mass
        or Holy Communion [syn: Host]
     10: (computer science) a computer that provides client stations
         with access to files and printers as shared resources to
         a computer network [syn: server]
     v : be the host of or for; "We hosted 4 couples last night"

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Host \Host\, n. (Biol.)
   Any animal or plant affording lodgment or subsistence to a
   parasitic or commensal organism. Thus a tree is a host of an
   air plant growing upon it.
Host \Host\ (h[=o]st), n. [LL. hostia sacrifice, victim, from
   hostire to strike.] (R. C. Ch.)
   The consecrated wafer, believed to be the body of Christ,
   which in the Mass is offered as a sacrifice; also, the bread
   before consecration.

   Note: In the Latin Vulgate the word was applied to the Savior
         as being an offering for the sins of men.
Host \Host\, n. [OE. host, ost, OF. host, ost, fr. L. hostis
   enemy, LL., army. See Guest, and cf. Host a landlord.]
   1. An army; a number of men gathered for war.

            A host so great as covered all the field. --Dryden.

   2. Any great number or multitude; a throng.

            And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of
            the heavenly host praising God.       --Luke ii. 13.

            All at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden
            daffodils.                            --Wordsworth.
Host \Host\, n. [OE. host, ost, OF. hoste, oste, F. h[^o]te,
   from L. hospes a stranger who is treated as a guest, he who
   treats another as his guest, a hostl prob. fr. hostis
   stranger, enemy (akin to E. guest a visitor) + potis able;
   akin to Skr. pati master, lord. See Host an army,
   Possible, and cf. Hospitable, Hotel.]
   One who receives or entertains another, whether gratuitously
   or for compensation; one from whom another receives food,
   lodging, or entertainment; a landlord. --Chaucer. ``Fair host
   and Earl.'' --Tennyson.

         Time is like a fashionable host, That slightly shakes
         his parting guest by the hand.           --Shak.
Host \Host\, v. t.
   To give entertainment to. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Host \Host\, v. i.
   To lodge at an inn; to take up entertainment. [Obs.] ``Where
   you shall host.'' --Shak.

Source: The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (2003-OCT-10)

host

   1. <networking> A computer connected to a network.

   The term node includes devices such as routers and printers
   which would not normally be called "hosts".

   2.  A computer to which one connects using a
   terminal emulator.

   (1995-02-16)

Source: Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary

Host
   an entertainer (Rom. 16:23); a tavern-keeper, the keeper of a
   caravansary (Luke 10:35).
   
     In warfare, a troop or military force. This consisted at first
   only of infantry. Solomon afterwards added cavalry (1 Kings
   4:26; 10:26). Every male Israelite from twenty to fifty years of
   age was bound by the law to bear arms when necessary (Num. 1:3;
   26:2; 2 Chr. 25:5).
   
     Saul was the first to form a standing army (1 Sam. 13:2;
   24:2). This example was followed by David (1 Chr. 27:1), and
   Solomon (1 Kings 4:26), and by the kings of Israel and Judah (2
   Chr. 17:14; 26:11; 2 Kings 11:4, etc.).