xenodochium

1 definition found

xenodochium - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Xenodochium \Xen`o*do*chi"um\ (z[e^]n`[-o]*d[-o]*k[imac]"[u^]m),
     n. [LL., fr. L. xenodochium a building for the reception of
     strangers, Gr. xenodochei^on .]
     (a) (Class. Antiq.) A house for the reception of strangers.
     (b) In the Middle Ages, a room in a monastery for the
         reception and entertainment of strangers and pilgrims,
         and for the relief of paupers. [Called also
         Xenodocheion.]
         [1913 Webster]