hospedero

Hospedero is a Spanish noun with several related senses depending on context. In hospitality, it denotes a person who hosts guests or a lodging establishment that provides accommodation. A hospedero may be an innkeeper or a host offering shelter or meals to visitors. The feminine form hospedera is possible, and regional usage varies. When referring to the lodging itself, terms such as posada, hostal, or hospedaje may be used.

In biology, hospedero refers to an organism that harbors another organism, typically a parasite or a parasite’s life cycle stage. In parasitology it is common to distinguish between hospedero definitivo (definitive host), in which the parasite reaches sexual maturity, and hospedero intermedio (intermediate host), in which development occurs but sexual maturation does not. Examples include a domestic cat as the definitivo hospedero for Toxoplasma gondii, and a rodent as an intermediate host.

Etymology: hospedar means to lodge; hospedero derives from Latin hospit- through Spanish, literally “one who lodges.” The term emphasizes the host–guest or host–parasite relationship. Usage notes: in medical or scientific contexts, it is precise; in everyday Spanish, speakers may use anfitrión or posada depending on meaning.