(a) a vessel fitted up for the reception and treatment of sick and wounded seamen; so hospital berth, hospital cabin, hospital hulk, hospital vessel…

†(a) a ship for the reception of those suffering from a plague; (b) a ship having any infectious disease on board.

spec. Short for hospital ship n.

attributive (chiefly appositive) and in combinations, as victim beast, victim carrion, victim-flock, victim-hero, victim horde, victim-lamb, victim ox…