A person given as a pledge or security for the performance of the conditions of a treaty or similar agreement, such as to ensure the status of a vassal.

(possibly nonstandard) To give (someone or something) as a hostage to (someone or something else).

(uncountable) The state of being hostile. / (countable) A hostile action, especially a military action. See hostilities for specific plural definition.

An inexpensive supervised lodging place, primarily for young people.

An attempted takeover of a company that is strongly resisted by the target company's management.

(countable) An inn that provides overnight accommodation for travellers (and, originally, their horses).

A person employed at an inn, hostelry, or stable to look after horses; a groom / (by extension) A person employed to care for a locomotive or other large engine.

A piece of mobile furniture within which cooked food may be kept hot, and from which it may be served.

A female host. / A female innkeeper. / Stewardess: a woman steward on an airplane. / A bar hostess or bargirl; a paid female companion offering conversation and in some cases sex.

To host, as a woman.