(hous) noun
1. A building intended for human habitation, especially one used as the residence of a family or single tenant.
2. A household; family.
3. A building used for any purpose: a coffee house; a house of worship.
4. The abode of a fraternity, order, etc.: a sorority house.
5. A dormitory or residence hall in a college or university; also, its resident students, collectively.
6. Brit. A college in a university; also, its member students, collectively.
7. A legislative body; also, the chamber it occupies.
8. Eccl. The deliberative body of a congregation or convocation.
9. A place of business.
10. A business firm: the house of Morgan.
11. A theater.
12. An audience at a public entertainment or service: to speak to a full house.
13. A line of ancestors and descendants regarded as forming a single family: the House of Tudor.
14. In astrology, one of the twelve divisions of the heavens, made by projecting great circles through the north and south points of the horizon. Each division, having special significance, is used in casting horoscopes. See ZODIAC.
15. A sign of the zodiac considered as the seat of greatest influence of a particular planet.
—on the house At the expense of the proprietor; gratis.
—to bring down the house To receive loud and enthusiastic applause.
—to clean house Colloq. To get rid of undesirable conditions or persons in an organization.
—to keep house To manage the affairs or work of a home.
—v. (houz) housed, hous·ing v.t.
1. To take or put into a house; furnish with a house; lodge.
2. To store in a house or building.
3. To fit into a mortise, joint, etc.
4. Naut. To place in a secure or safe position, as in time of storms.
—v.i.
5. To take shelter or lodgings; dwell. [OE hūs]
—house′ful noun Synonyms (noun): abode, building, cabin, cot, cottage, domicile, dwelling, dwelling place, edifice, habitation, hall, home, hovel, hut, manor, mansion, palace, residence, shanty, villa. See EDIFICE, HOME.

(hous), Edward Mandell,
1858–1938, U.S. diplomat; adviser to President Wilson: known as Colonel House.