house

house [hous; ] for v. [ houz]

n.

pl. houses [hou′ziz] [ME hous < OE hus, akin to Ger haus (OHG hūs) < IE * (s)keus- < base * (s)keu-, to cover, conceal > SKY]

1. a building for human beings to live in; specif.,

a) the building or part of a building occupied by one family or tenant; dwelling place

b) Brit. a college in a university

c) an inn; tavern; hotel

d) a building where a group of people live as a unit [a fraternity house]

e) a monastery, nunnery, or similar religious establishment

☆ f) Informal a brothel

2. the people who live in a house, considered as a unit; social group; esp., a family or household

3. [often H-] a family as including kin, ancestors, and descendants, esp. a royal or noble family [the House of Tudor]

4. something regarded as a house; place that provides shelter, living space, etc.; specif.,

a) the habitation of an animal, as the shell of a mollusk

b) a building or shelter where animals are kept [the monkey house in a zoo]

c) a building where things are kept when not in use [a carriage house]

5. any place where something is thought of as living, resting, etc.

6.

a) a theater

b) the audience in a theater

7.

a) a place of business

b) a business firm; commercial establishment

☆ 8. the management of a gambling establishment

9. a church, temple, or synagogue [house of worship]

10. [often H-]

a) the building or rooms where a legislature or branch of a legislature meets

b) a legislative assembly or governing body

☆ 11. HOUSE MUSIC

12. Astrol.

a) any of the twelve parts into which the heavens are divided by great circles through the north and south points of the horizon

b) a sign of the zodiac considered as the seat of a planet's greatest influence

adj.

designating or of a salad dressing, brand of liquor, etc. served at a particular bar or restaurant

vt.

housed, housing

1. to provide, or serve as, a house or lodgings for

2. to store in a house

3. to cover, harbor, or shelter by or as if by putting in a house

4. Archit. Mech. to insert into a housing

vi.

1. to take shelter

2. to reside; live

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bring down the house

Informal to receive enthusiastic applause from the audience

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clean house

1. to clean and put a home in order

☆ 2. to get rid of all unwanted things, undesirable conditions, etc.

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keep house

to take care of the affairs of a home; run a houselike a house on fire ( or afire)

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like a house on fire or like a house afire

with speed and vigor

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☆ on the house

given free, at the expense of the establishment

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play house

to pretend in child's play to be grown-up people with the customary household duties

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set one's house in order or put one's house in order

to put one's affairs in order

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the House

1. HOUSE OF COMMONS

2. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES