noun
head of household; proprietor; landlord; master
Only when written 主 / 主人
Refers to the person in charge of a household, shop, inn, or estate. Can be used for both male and female. Often used in historical or traditional contexts.
旅館の主が玄関まで迎えに出てきた。
The proprietor of the inn came out to the entrance to greet us.
彼はこの屋敷の主だ。
He is the master of this mansion.
noun
entertaining a guest; feast
Archaic sense. Refers to hosting or entertaining someone as a guest. Related to the compound 饗設け (あるじもうけ).
See also: 饗設け
古語では「あるじ」が客をもてなすことを指した。
In classical language, あるじ referred to entertaining a guest.