xen

‖n. [ NL., from Gr. xenhlasi`a expulsion of strangers. ] (Gr. Antiq.) A Spartan institution which prohibited strangers from residing in Sparta without permission, its object probably being to preserve the national simplicity of manners. [ 1913 Webster ]

pr. n. A natural family of birds comprising the New Zealand wrens, synonymous with Acanthisittidae.
Syn. -- family Xenicidae, Acanthisittidae, family Acanthisittidae. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

pr. n. The type genus for the bird family Xenicidae.
Syn. -- genus Xenicus. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

‖n.; pl. Xenia [ L., from Gr. xe`nion gift to a guest, fr. xe`nos guest. ] (Class. Antiq.) A present given to a guest or stranger, or to a foreign ambassador. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ LL., fr. L. xenodochium a building for the reception of strangers, Gr. xenodochei^on . ] (a) (Class. Antiq.) A house for the reception of strangers. (b) In the Middle Ages, a room in a monastery for the reception and entertainment of strangers and pilgrims, and for the relief of paupers. [ Called also Xenodocheion. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. xenodochi`a. ] Reception of strangers; hospitality. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. xe`nos strange, foreign + ga`mos marriage. ] (Bot.) Cross fertilization. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. xe`nos a stranger + E. genesis. ] (Biol.) (a) Same as Heterogenesis. (b) The fancied production of an organism of one kind by an organism of another. Huxley. [ 1913 Webster ]