hospice

[ hos-pis ]
/ ˈhɒs pɪs /

noun

a house of shelter or rest for pilgrims, strangers, etc., especially one kept by a religious order.
Medicine/Medical.
  1. a health-care facility for the terminally ill that emphasizes pain control and emotional support for the patient and family, typically refraining from taking extraordinary measures to prolong life.
  2. a similar program of care and support for the terminally ill at home.

Origin of hospice

1810–20; < French < Latin hospitium hospitium

Example sentences from the Web for hospice

British Dictionary definitions for hospice

hospice
/ (ˈhɒspɪs) /

noun plural hospices

a nursing home that specializes in caring for the terminally ill
Also called: hospitium (hɒˈspɪtɪəm) plural hospitia (hɒˈspɪtɪə) archaic a place of shelter for travellers, esp one kept by a monastic order

Word Origin for hospice

C19: from French, from Latin hospitium hospitality, from hospes guest, host 1

Medical definitions for hospice

hospice
[ hŏspĭs ]

n.

A program or facility that provides palliative care and attends to the emotional, spiritual, social, and financial needs of terminally ill patients at a facility or at a patient's home.