Húesped means "guest" or "host·?
I am confused, this dictionary says it means both but in English, both are quite opposite! Please elaborate, anyone? Gracias!
9 Answers
Given the origins of this word, it should not be odd that both meanings exist. The word "huésped" is derived from the Latin word "hospes/hospitis," the same root from which English gets words like "hospitality," "hospice" and "hospitable." The Latin word itself was derived from the Indo-European root "*–ghostis" meaning "stranger," the same place from which English gets both the term "host" (by way of Latin) and "guest (by way of Greek)."
From this original root, we can see that the original meaning of the Latin word was used to refer to a relationship between strangers, and more specifically, the characteristic nature of this relationship. The nature in this case, was one of friendship or solicitude. That is, it describes a sort of reciprocal obligation of hospitality. A contrast can be made here by examining the Latin word "hostis (which shares the same IE root as "hospes"), a word defined by the feeling of enmity that might exist between strangers. In this sense, a stranger is looked upon as an enemy. From this idea English derives such word as "hostility" and "hostile" which still convey the idea of enmity (though not necessarily that of "strangeness").
By the same token, the term "hospitis" can be seen as the friendly relationship that exists between strangers who are bound by the idea of "hospitium (i.e. hospitality)." From this perspective, we might note that there is an obvious give and take in situations where one party is in a more advantageous position than another. For example, in a relationship where one person acts as a host and invites another person into his home, the person who offers this hospitality (the host) is clearly extending this invitation from a position of strength; whereas, the guest–the person away from home who accepts this hospitality–is in a more disadvantageous position by nature of his being in a foreign environment.
In any case, it is the actual relationship between the two parties–this reciprocal bond of friendship between strangers–which characterized the word in its original sense, as can be gleaned from the following passages from the Aeneid
rex nostra reliquit hospitia et Turni potius se credidit armis [11.113]
The king of our country has abandoned the hospitality (i.e. this *friendly bond) we shared and has instead trusted in the arms of Turnus'*
Interestingly, early Spanish inherited from Latin the perspective of both parties so that the term "huésped" could be used equally from the perspective of the host (the party who was in a position of strength and able to extend lodgings etc to the other) and from that of the guest (the party inclined to accept this offer of good will). Due to this ambiguity, the use of this word to mean "one who gives room and board" gradually fell into disuse in favor of the term "anfitrión" so that in modern Spanish the term "huésped" is now typically only used to mean "guest" or "one who receives room and board."
Yes, I noticed the same thing a couple of days ago when there was another post regarding the word "guest" and "host".
I am not familiar with any common use of "huésped" in any context other than that of "guest". However, there is always more to learn anytime we study another language... 
I will be following this thread to see what thoughts other have.
Wasn't *anfitriona* used for hostess in the lessons? host=anfitrión
Yes, it can mean either one.
huésped, da.
(Del lat. hospes, -?tis).
m. y f. Persona alojada en casa ajena.
m. y f. Persona alojada en un establecimiento de hostelería.
m. Biol. Vegetal o animal en cuyo cuerpo se aloja un parásito.
m. p. us. Mesonero o amo de posada.
m. p. us. Persona que hospeda en su casa a otra.
Ray76:
That "a host of Angels" means "hueste"
Now:
huésped means both host and guest in both languages. Depends of context.
In Spanish is preferred and more known to use "anfitrión" instead of "huésped" when referring to a person that's the host of a party.
This dictionary says huésped means host 'biologically' so it seems that it's guest when it comes to people but host when it comes to bugs eeeeew 
While I agree that this is confusing, because the word can take both meanings depending on context in Spanish (as demonstrated by the various posts in this thread), the fact is that the word is most commonly used in daily speech to mean "guest". I agree with Q that "anfitrión(a)" is the most common word for "host".
Great question!
Huéskped is one of those words that has double meanings ( host or guest)
I is best understood in how it is used in a sentence or a phrase. Therefore, the contexts for this word give the general clues for its meaning.
Hopes this help. 
I don't know , " A host of golden daffodils " are very welcome guests.
Likewise , A host of Angels , are also welcome guests.
