n. [ F. hôtel, OF. hostel. See Hostel. ] 1. A house for entertaining strangers or travelers; an inn or public house, of the better class. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. In France, the mansion or town residence of a person of rank or wealth. [ 1913 Webster ]
‖n. [ F. ] A city hall or townhouse. [ 1913 Webster ]
‖n. [ F. ] A hospital. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. an owner or manager of a hotel or hotels. Syn. -- hotelkeeper, hotel manager, hotelman, hosteller. [ WordNet 1.5 ]