■ noun
1》 the room or space just inside the front entrance of a house.
↘ N. Amer. a corridor in a building.
2》 a large room for meetings, concerts, etc.
↘the dining room of a college, university, or school.
↘the principal living room of a medieval house.
3》 (also ~ of residence ) Brit. a university building in which students live.
4》 Brit. a large country house.
5》 historical the premises of a guild.
Origin
OE ~ , heall ; of Gmc origin.