[hous.ing] n (14c) 1 a: shelter, lodging b: dwellings provided for people
2. a: a niche for a sculpture b: the space taken out of a structural member (as a timber) to admit the insertion of part of another
3: something that covers or protects: as a: a case or enclosure (as for a mechanical part or an instrument) b: a casing (as an enclosed bearing) in which a shaft revolves c: a support (as a frame) for mechanical parts
[2]housing n [ME, fr. house housing (fr. MF houce, of Gmc origin) + -ing; akin to MHG hulft covering] (15c): caparison 1