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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

HOSTEL, n. An inn, hotel. This form died out in Eng. after the 16th c. but was revived by Scott and hence restored to Eng. in the 19th c. Derivs. hosteler, hostillar, hostler, an innkeeper, erroneously in 1827 quot. = hostelry, and in comb. hostler-wife, a woman who keeps an inn or tavern; hostelry, an inn. Also obs. in Eng. in 17th c. (except in (h)ostler, a groom at an inn) but surviving in Sc. and also restored through Scott. Hostel itself is not found in O.Sc. Ppl.adj. ¶hostled, living in a hotel.Sc. 1726 Ramsay T.-T. Misc. (1876) I. 100:
Syne paid him upon a gantree, As hostler wives should do.Sc. 1808 Scott Marmion iii. xxvi.:
The rest around the hostel fire, Their drowsy limbs recline.Sc. 1809 R. O. Fenwick Goblin Groom 51:
Meanwhile the hostled sportsmen rise, With bosoms light, but heavy eyes.Sc. 1816 Scott O. Mortality iv.:
Folk in the hostler line maun pit up wi' muckle.Sc. 1818 Scott Rob Roy xix.:
We alighted at the door of a jolly hostler-wife, as Andrew called her.Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 125:
They . . . spers'd about in search o' beds Throu' houses, hostillars, and sheds.ne.Sc. 1884 D. Grant Lays 40:
Luikin, for a decent hostel, Lichtit he on Knappyroon.m.Sc. 1927 J. Buchan Witch Wood xv.:
Ye needna fear for me, I'll no gang near the hostler-wife — the verra thocht o' yill and usquebagh staws me.