I. ˈhau̇s noun
( plural hous·es ˈhau̇-zəz also -səz)
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English hous, from Old English hūs; akin to Old High German hūs 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 ˈhau̇s-ˌfu̇l noun
• house·less ˈhau̇-sləs adjective
• house·less·ness noun
•
- on the house
II. ˈhau̇z verb
( housed ; hous·ing )
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
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 a shelter or container for : contain
buildings that house government offices
intransitive verb
: to take shelter : lodge