host
UK: həʊst | US: hoʊst
n. a person who receives or entertains guests
n. a large number of people or things
n. (biology) an organism that harbors a parasite or symbiont
vt. to act as a host for an event or program
The word "host" traces back to Latin hospes (meaning "guest" or "stranger"), which evolved into Old French hoste (referring to both "guest" and "host"). Over time, English adopted the term with dual meanings: one emphasizing hospitality (receiving guests) and the other denoting a multitude (from the idea of an "army" or "crowd," influenced by Latin hostis meaning "enemy"). This duality reflects the word's historical journey through social and military contexts.
She will host the annual charity gala next month.
The forest is host to a diverse range of wildlife.
A host of volunteers arrived to clean up the park.
The talk show host interviewed a famous author.
This plant species often serves as a host for parasitic insects.