2. An act of an open enemy; a hostile deed; especially in the plural, acts of warfare; attacks of an enemy. We have showed ourselves generous adversaries . . . and have carried on even our hostilities with humanity. Atterbury. He who proceeds to wanton hostility, often provokes an enemy where he might have a friend. Crabb.
Syn. — Animosity; enmity; opposition; violence; aggression; contention; warfare.
HOSTILIZE
Hos"til*ize, v. t.
Defn: To make hostile; to cause to become an enemy. [Obs.] A. Seward.
HOSTING
Host"ing, n. Etym: [From Host an army.] [Obs.]
1. An encounter; a battle. "Fierce hosting." Milton.
2. A muster or review. Spenser.
HOSTLER
Hos"tler, n. Etym: [OE. hosteler, osteler, innkeeper, OF. hostelier,
F. hôtelier. See Hostel, and cf. Hospitaler, Hosteler.]
1. An innkeeper. [Obs.] See Hosteler.
2. The person who has the care of horses at an inn or stable; hence, any one who takes care of horses; a groom; — so called because the innkeeper formerly attended to this duty in person.