## Etymology
From Middle English hostelrie, from Old French hostelerie ('inn'), from hostel ('lodging'), from Medieval Latin hospitale ('guest-house'), from Latin hospes ('guest, host').

## AI Etymology
hostelry comes from Middle English hostelrie, from Old French hostelerie ('inn'), from hostel ('lodging'), from Medieval Latin hospitale ('guest-house'), from Latin hospes ('guest, host'). The path is chiefly one of transmission: the word passes through the named languages and forms, with each stage preserving part of the modern shape. In present English, the noun sense is "an inn or public house providing lodging and food", so the historical development ends in a clearly identifiable modern dictionary use. The same base also appears in related forms such as hostel, hostler, hospital, and hospitality. Its semantic neighborhood includes inn, tavern, hostel, and lodge, which helps locate the modern sense without adding a separate etymological claim. The named historical forms include Old French hostelerie, Medieval Latin hospitale, and Latin hospes.

## Topics
- People & Society
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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