caravansary

[ kar-uh-van-suh-ree ]

/ ˌkær əˈvæn sə ri /

(in the Near East) an inn, usually with a large courtyard, for the overnight accommodation of caravans.

any large inn or hotel.

Nearby words

Also car·a·van·se·rai

[kar-uh-van-suh-rahy, -rey] /ˌkær əˈvæn səˌraɪ, -ˌreɪ/.

1590–1600; < French caravanserai < Persian kārwānsarāy, equivalent to kārwān caravan + sarāy mansion, inn

Related formscar·a·van·se·ri·al

[kar-uh-van-seer-ee-uh l] /ˌkær ə vænˈsɪər i əl/, adjective

But why was her shadow sitting there, the lonely hostless guest of the night's caravansary?
There and Back|George MacDonald
At the Caravansary they had scented tragedy, and Kate faced them with the paragraph.
The Precipice|Elia Wilkinson Peattie
Yet there is no dreary stretch or caravansary effect, and to-day every seat is filled, and a dozen tourists waiting at the door.
A Truthful Woman in Southern California|Kate Sanborn
The caravansary in the village is not to my liking, and I had thought of engaging a suite up here.
Where There's A Will|Mary Roberts Rinehart

The master of the caravansary then appeared, bearing, in token of welcome, a basket of fruits arranged with great taste.
An Egyptian Princess, Complete|Georg Ebers