1. n.1 a dwelling-houses collectively. b the provision of these.
2 shelter, lodging.
3 a rigid casing, esp. for moving or sensitive parts of a machine.
4 the hole or niche cut in one piece of wood to receive some part of another in order to join them.
Phrases and idioms:
housing estate a residential area planned as a unit.2. n. a cloth covering put on a horse for protection or ornament.
Etymology: ME covering, f. obs. house f. OF houce f. med.L hultia f. Gmc