caravansary
UK /ˌkæɹəˈvænsəɹi/ · US /ˌkɛɹəˈvænsəɹi/ noun
Also a form of caravanserai
Forms caravansaries
- noun Alternative spelling of caravanserai.
Synonyms
Etymology
Anglicization of caravanserai, influenced by -ary, -ery (suffix denoting ‘place of’), as if meaning “place of caravans” by reanalysis as caravan + -s- (interfix) + -ary, -ery.
Webster’s 1913
- noun A kind of inn, in the East, where caravans rest at night, being a large, rude, unfurnished building, surrounding a court. [Written also caravanserai and caravansera.]
Etymology [F. caravansérai, fr. Per. karwansara\'8b; karwan caravan + -sara\'8b palace, large house, inn.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “caravansary”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details