■ noun
1》 the place where one lives permanently.
↘a house or flat.
2》 an institution for people needing professional care.
3》 a place where something flourishes or from which it originated.
4》 the finishing point in a race.
5》 (in games) the place where a player is free from attack.
6》 (in lacrosse) each of the three players nearest their opponents' goal.
■ adjective
1》 relating to one's ~.
↘made, done, or intended for use in the ~.
2》 relating to one's own country.
3》 (of a team or player) belonging to the place in which a sporting event occurs.
↘played on a team's own ground.
■ adverb
1》 to or at one's ~.
2》 to the end or conclusion of something.
3》 to the intended or correct position: he slid the bolt ~.
■ verb
1》 (of an animal) return by instinct to its territory.
2》 ( ~ in on ) move or be aimed towards.
3》 provide (a pet) with a ~.
Phrases
at ~
1》 comfortable and at ease.
2》 ready to receive visitors.
bring something ~ to make (someone) realize the significance of something.
close (or near ) to ~ (of a remark) accurate to the point that one feels uncomfortable.
come ~ Golf play the last nine holes in a round of eighteen.
drive (or hammer ) something ~ stress a point forcefully.
hit (or strike ) ~ (of words) have the intended effect.
↘(of the significance of a situation) be fully realized.
~ and dry ( N. Amer. ~ free , Austral./NZ ~ and hosed ) having achieved one's objective.
( a ) ~ from (or N. Amer. away from) ~ a place where one feels as comfortable as in one's own ~.
Derivatives
~less adjective
~lessness noun
~like adjective
Origin
OE hām , of Gmc origin.