[house] n, pl hous.es often attrib [ME hous, fr. OE hus; akin to OHG hus house] (bef. 12c) 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 ~" 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 ~ 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; esp: 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 b (1): a business organization "a publishing ~" (2): a gambling establishment c: the audience in a theater or concert hall "a full ~ 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 -- house.ful n -- house.less adj -- house.less.ness n -- on the house : without charge: free
[2]house vb housed ; hous.ing vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to provide with living quarters or shelter b: to store in a house
2: to encase, enclose, or shelter as if by putting in a house
3: to serve as shelter for: contain ~ vi: to take shelter: lodge