hospice

[ hos-pis ]
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noun
  1. a house of shelter or rest for pilgrims, strangers, etc., especially one kept by a religious order.

  2. Medicine/Medical.

    • a healthcare facility for the terminally ill that emphasizes pain control and emotional support for the patient and family, typically refraining from taking extraordinary measures to prolong life.

    • a similar program of care and support for the terminally ill at home or in a nursing home.

Origin of hospice

1
First recorded in 1810–20; from French, from Latin hospitium “hospitable reception, entertainment”; see hospitium

Words Nearby hospice

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British Dictionary definitions for hospice

hospice

/ (ˈhɒspɪs) /


nounplural hospices
  1. a nursing home that specializes in caring for the terminally ill

  2. Also called: hospitium (hɒˈspɪtɪəm) plural hospitia (hɒˈspɪtɪə) archaic a place of shelter for travellers, esp one kept by a monastic order

Origin of hospice

1
C19: from French, from Latin hospitium hospitality, from hospes guest, host 1

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