Core Spelling Words of the Week hos·pi·tal (hŏs'pĭ-tl, -pĭt'l) n. An institution that provides medical, surgical, or psychiatric care and treatment for the sick or the injured. Chiefly British. A charitable institution, such as an orphanage or a home for the elderly. A repair shop for specified items: a doll hospital. Archaic. A hospice for travelers or pilgrims. mis·take (mĭ-stāk') n. An error or fault resulting from defective judgment, deficient knowledge, or carelessness. A misconception or misunderstanding. charge (chärj) v., charged, charg·ing, charg·es. v.tr. To impose a duty, responsibility, or obligation on: charged him with the task of watching the young swimmers. To set or ask (a given amount) as a price: charges ten dollars for a haircut. To hold financially liable; demand payment from: charged her for the balance due. pres·i·dent (prĕz'ĭ-dənt, -dĕnt') n. One appointed or elected to preside over an organized body of people, such as an assembly or meeting. The chief executive of a republic. The chief executive of the United States, serving as both chief of state and chief political executive. The chief officer of a branch of government, corporation, board of trustees, university, or similar body. de·sign (dĭ-zīn') v., -signed, -sign·ing, -signs. v.tr. To conceive or fashion in the mind; invent: design a good excuse for not attending the conference. To formulate a plan for; devise: designed a marketing strategy for the new product. To plan out in systematic, usually graphic form: design a building; design a computer program. To create or contrive for a particular purpose or effect: a game designed to appeal to all ages.