Main Entry: ¹house

Pronunciation: \ˈhau̇s\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural hous·es \ˈhau̇-zəz also -səz\

Usage: often attributive

Etymology: Middle English hous, from Old English hūs; akin to Old High German hūs house

Date: before 12th century

1 : a building that serves as living quarters for one or a few families : home
2 a (1) : a shelter or refuge (as a nest or den) of a wild animal (2) : a natural covering (as a test or shell) that encloses and protects an animal or a colony of zooids b : a building in which something is housed <a carriage house>
3 a : one of the 12 equal sectors in which the celestial sphere is divided in astrology b : a zodiacal sign that is the seat of a planet's greatest influence
4 a : household b : a family including ancestors, descendants, and kindred <the house of Tudor>
5 a : a residence for a religious community or for students b : the community or students in residence
6 a : a legislative, deliberative, or consultative assembly; especially : one constituting a division of a bicameral body b : the building or chamber where such an assembly meets c : a quorum of such an assembly
7 a : a place of business or entertainment <a movie house> b (1) : a business organization <a publishing house> (2) : a gambling establishment c : the audience in a theater or concert hall <a full house on opening night>
8 : the circular area 12 feet in diameter surrounding the tee and within which a curling stone must rest in order to count
9 [from The Warehouse, Chicago dance club that pioneered the style] : a type of dance music mixed by a disc jockey that features overdubbing with a heavy repetitive drumbeat and repeated electronic melody lines

— house·ful \ˈhau̇s-ˌfu̇l\ noun

— house·less \ˈhau̇-sləs\ adjective

— house·less·ness noun

— on the house : without charge : free