How Do You Spell SPITAL?

Pronunciation: [spˈɪtə͡l] (IPA)

The word "Spital" may seem counterintuitive in terms of spelling, but it can be traced back to old English. The IPA phonetic transcription of the word is /ˈspɪt(ə)l/, with the stress on the first syllable. The "Sp-" combination is unusual, as it usually indicates a word of Germanic origin, such as "spit" or "spiral". However, "Spital" comes from the old English word "spītæl", meaning a hospital or place where the sick are treated. The word eventually evolved into its current spelling, despite the irregularity of the "Sp-" prefix.

SPITAL Meaning and Definition

1. Spital is a noun that refers to a historical term for a hospital or infirmary. Derived from the Old English word "spitæl," it originally denoted an institution or building specifically devoted to caring for individuals with contagious diseases, such as leprosy or the plague. In medieval times, spitals were often established by religious orders or charitable organizations to cater to the sick and injured in communities.

   These early spitals typically provided basic medical care, shelter, and support for the less fortunate, especially those who were considered societal outcasts due to their illnesses. Over time, the term "spital" became synonymous with a general hospital facility, where medical treatment, care, and convalescence were offered to a wider range of patients. However, the term gradually fell out of use and has largely been replaced with the modern word "hospital" in contemporary English.

   Today, "spital" is primarily encountered in historical contexts or when referring to specific buildings or areas that were once known for housing spitals. It is also occasionally employed in literature, particularly in historical novels or texts set in the past, to create an atmosphere or evoke a sense of the medical care provided in earlier times.

2. A hospital.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for SPITAL

• spitle
• spittal
• spetal
• spitall
• spittle
• spittel
• zpital
• xpital
• dpital
• epital
• wpital
• slital
• s-ital
• s0ital
• sputal
• spjtal
• spktal
• spotal
• sp9tal
• sp8tal

Etymology of SPITAL

The word "spital" has its roots in Old English and Middle English. It derives from the Old English word "spyttle" or "spiwelle", which meant a hospital or a place of shelter for the sick or needy. The word itself comes from the Latin "hospitale", meaning hospice or inn. Over time, "spyttle" and "spiwelle" evolved into "spital" in Middle English, retaining the same meaning of a hospital or almshouse. Today, the term is mostly archaic but may still occur in some place names or historical texts.