caravanserai

car·a·van·sa·ry  (kr-vns-r) also car·a·van·se·rai (-r)

n. pl. car·a·van·sa·ries also car·a·van·se·rais In both senses also called serai.

1. An inn built around a large court for accommodating caravans along trade routes in central and western Asia.

2. A large inn or hostelry.

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[French caravanserai, from Persian krvnsary : krvn, caravan + sary, camp, palace; see ter-² in Indo-European roots.]

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caravanserai

Noun

(in some Eastern countries, esp. formerly) a large inn enclosing a courtyard, providing accommodation for caravans [Persian kārwānsarāī caravan inn]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

caravanserai - an inn in some eastern countries with a large courtyard that provides accommodation for caravans caravan inn, caravansary, khan auberge, hostel, hostelry, inn, lodge - a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers