n.
Pronunciation: ' hau ̇ s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural hous · es \ ' hau ̇ -z ə z also -s ə z \
Usage: often attrib
Etymology: Middle English hous, from Old English h ū s; akin to Old High German h ū s 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 Ware house, 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 \ ' hau ̇ s- ˌ fu ̇ l \ noun
– house · less \ ' hau ̇ -sl ə s \ adjective
– house · less · ness noun
– on the house : without charge : FREE