house
UK[haʊs]US[haʊs]
n
a building where people live, usually one family or group
n
a building used for a particular purpose or by a particular group
v
to provide someone with a place to live
Etymology
The word 'house' originates from the Old English 'hūs', meaning a dwelling, shelter, or building. This term is derived from the Proto-Germanic 'hūsą', which carried a similar meaning. The concept is traced further back to the Proto-Indo-European root 'keus-', meaning 'to cover' or 'to hide', a semantic link that logically connects the idea of a structure providing shelter and protection. Over centuries, the word's form simplified while its core meaning expanded from a simple dwelling to include buildings for specific purposes and the action of providing shelter.
Analysis
The word 'house' is a simplex word of Germanic origin. It functions as a complete, unanalyzable root in modern English.
Examples
They live in a large house in the countryside.
The opera house was filled to capacity for the premiere.
The charity aims to house and support homeless families.