also: やどぬし
noun
Only with reading しゅくしゅ
Refers to an organism that harbors a parasite, mutualist, or commensal. Used in biological and ecological contexts.
ウイルスは宿主の細胞に侵入する。
The virus invades the host's cells.
この寄生虫は特定の宿主にしか感染し
This parasite only infects a specific host.
noun
Only with reading やどぬし
Archaic or literary term for a person who provides lodging; now mostly replaced by 大家 (おおや) or 宿屋の主人. The reading やどぬし is explicitly associated with this sense.
旅人はやどぬしに部屋を案内された。
The traveler was shown to a room by the innkeeper.
昔話では、やどぬしが親切にもてなす場面がよく出てくる。
In old tales, scenes where the landlord kindly entertains guests often appear.
Kana spelling for the landlord/innkeeper sense, avoiding confusion with the しゅくしゅ reading.
宿主 is a compound of 宿 (lodging, dwelling) and 主 (master, owner). The reading しゅくしゅ is the standard Sino-Japanese reading, while やどぬし is a native Japanese reading (kun'yomi) that directly reflects the meaning 'innkeeper' or 'landlord'. The biological sense is a modern extension of the 'host' concept.