n. 1. A shelter or lodging for travelers, pilgrims, foundlings, or the destitute, especially one maintained by a monastic order. 2. A program that provides palliative care and attends to the emotional and spiritual needs of terminally ill patients at an inpatient facility or at the patient's home. [French, from Old French, from Latin hospitium, hospitality, from hospes, hospit-, host; see ghos-ti- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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