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A room for business or social conversation, for the reception of guests, etc. Specifically:

Departing. "Speed the parting guest." Pope.

g, esp. of receiving visitors; entertainment; hence, an occasion or ceremony of receiving guests; as, a hearty reception; an elaborate reception. What reception a poem may find. Goldsmith.

e; -- probably so called from the mounted pilgrims described in the Canterbury Tales. Dr. Guest. -- Riding school, a school or place where the art of riding is taught.

n from hurt, injury, or loss. Up led by thee, Into the heaven I have presumed, An earthly guest . . . With like safety guided down, Return me to my native element. Milton.

e saltcellar near the middle of a long table, the places above which were assigned to the guests of distinction, and those below to dependents, inferiors, and poor relations. See Saltfoot. His fashion is not to take knowledge of him that is beneath him in clothes. He never drinks below the salt. B. Jonson. -- Acid salt…

A large saltcellar formerly placed near the center of the table. The superior guests were seated above the saltfoot.

imp. of Sit. But sate an equal guest at every board. Lowell.

To place on a seat; to cause to sit down; as, to seat one's self. The guests were no sooner seated but they entered into a warm debate. Arbuthnot.

set on and removed the dishes at a feast, and who also brought water for the hands of the guests. Then the sewer Poured water from a great and golden ewer, That from their hands to a silver caldron ran. Chapman.

An uninvited guest coming with one who is invited. [A Latinism] Nares. I must not have my board pastered with shadows That under other men's protection break in Without invitement. Massinger. Shadow of death, darkness or gloom like that caused by the presence or the impending of death. Ps. xxiii. 4.…

aside, or away, in a careless or rude manner; to jostle. And shove away the worthy bidden guest. Milton. He used to shove and elbow his fellow servants. Arbuthnot.

A feast at which the guests are supposed to feed upon the odors only of the viands.

ertaking, especially in setting out upon a journey. Welkome the coming, speed the parting guest. Pope. God speed you, them, etc., may God speed you; or, may you have good speed.

One not belonging to the family or household; a guest; a visitor. To honor and receive Our heavenly stranger. Milton.

A common table for guests at a hotel; an ordinary.

A public house where travelers and other transient guests are accomodated with rooms and meals; an inn; a hotel; especially, in modern times, a public house licensed to sell liquor in small quantities.

Staying for a short time; not regular or permanent; as, a transient guest; transient boarders. [Colloq. U.S.]

Without a truce; unforbearing. Two minds in one, and each a truceless guest. H. Brooke.

r the head. Turn the adamantine spindle round. Milton. The monarch turns him to his royal guest. Pope.