释义 |
▪ I. ˈhostler Forms: 4–5 hosteler (-eller, -iler, -iller), 5– hostler. See also ostler. [c gray][A syncopated form of hosteler, found also in the sense ‘keeper of a hostelry, innkeeper’ (hosteler 2), but from 16th c. usually appropriated as below; in this popular sense it has always varied with the form ostler (ˈɒslə(r)[/c]), now more prevalent. The Shakespeare Folio of 1621 has hostler once, ostler six times. As a variant spelling of ostler, ordinarily pronounced like the latter, with h and t mute; but, if used in the sense of hosteler, both letters would now usually be sounded.] A man who attends to horses at an inn; a stableman, a groom.
c1386Chaucer Pars. T. ⁋366 Thilke that holden hostelries, sustenynge the thefte of hire hostilers [v.rr. hostelers, hostelleris, ostelers, ostilers]. c1400Three Kings Cologne 23 Þis was a comune custome to diuers hostlers..to bring her hors to þat plaas. c1485Digby Myst. (1882) ii. 85 How, hosteler, how, a peck of otys and a botell of haye. 1570Levins Manip. 73/46 Hostler, caupo, stabularius. 1651C. Walker Hist. Independ. iii. 10 To make Religion but a stalking horse..and the Ministers thereof but hostlers, to rub down, curry and dresse it for their riding. a1713T. Ellwood Autobiog. (1756) 20 Having ordered the Horstler to take Care of my Dog. 1837Hawthorne Twice-Told T. (1851) II. x. 139 The landlord himself, or his loutish hostler. 1848Dickens Dombey vii, Where hostlers were continually accompanying themselves with effervescent noises. b. U.S. (See quot.)
1890Cooley, etc. Railw. Amer. 232 The compartments in the round-houses for sheltering locomotives are termed the stalls, and the keeper of the round-house is called the hostler. Hence ˈhostlership, the function of a hostler, or the discharge of such function.
1626W. Sclater Exp. 2 Thess. (1629) 123 To hold his stirrop, and beare the checke for ill hostlership. ▪ II. hostler, hostleress see hosteler. |