spital

American  

[spit-l] / ˈspɪt l /

noun

Archaic.

1. a hospital, especially one for lazars.

2. a shelter on a highway.

---

spital British  

/ ˈspɪtəl /

noun

1. a hospital, esp for the needy sick

2. a highway shelter

---

Etymology

Origin of spital

1625–35; alteration of spittle, Middle English spitel < Medieval Latin hospitāle; see hospital

Example Sentences

A witch from the spital or almshouse would have been a goddess in comparison to the late beautiful huntress.

From Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft by Scott, Walter, Sir

A witch from the spital or almshouse would have been a goddess in comparison to the late beautiful huntress. 

From Folk-Lore and Legends Scotland by Anonymous

News have I, that my Doll is dead i' the spital Of malady of France; And there my rendezvous is quite cut off.

From King Henry V by Shakespeare, William

The institution now known as the "orspittle" was called by our unlettered forefathers the "spital," hence the names Spittle and Spittlehouse.

From The Romance of Names by Weekley, Ernest