Emily Dickinson Lexicon

HOUSE, n. [hous; Sax. hus; Goth. Sw. and Scot. hus; G. haus; D. huis; Dan. huus; L. casa; It. Sp. and Port. casa; W. hws, a covering or housing. If the primary sense is a covering, this word may be referred to Heb. Ch. Syr. כסה, Ar. كَسَا, kasa, to put on, to cover. Class Gs, No. 57. It corresponds to cot, in a different dialect.]

1. In a general sense, a building or shed intended or used as a habitation or shelter for animals of any kind; but appropriately, a building or edifice for the habitation of man; a dwelling place, mansion or abode for any of the human species. It may be of any size, and composed of any materials whatever, wood, stone, brick, &c.
2. An edifice or building appropriated to the worship of God; a temple; a church; as, the house of God.
3. A monastery; a college; as, a religious house.
4. The manner of living; the table. He keeps a good house, or a miserable house.
5. In astrology, the station of a planet in the heavens, or the twelfth part of the heavens. Johnson. Encyc.
6. A family of ancestors; descendants and kindred; a race of persons from the same stock; a tribe. It particularly denotes a noble family or an illustrious race; as, the house of Austria; the house of Hanover. So in Scripture, the house of Israel, or of Judah. Two of a house few ages can afford. Dryden.
7. One of the estates of a kingdom assembled in parliament or legislature; a body of men united in their legislative capacity, and holding their place by right or by election. Thus we say, the house of lords or peers of Great Britain; the house of commons; the house of representatives. In most of the United States, the legislatures consist of two houses, the senate, and the house of representatives or delegates.
8. The quorum of a legislative body; the number of representatives assembled who are constitutionally empowered to enact laws. Hence we say, there is a sufficient number of representatives present to form a house.
9. In Scripture, those who dwell in a house and compose a family; a household. Cornelius was a devout man, and feared God with all his house. Acts x.
10. Wealth; estate. Ye devour widows' houses. Matth. xxiii.
11. The grave; as, the house appointed for all living. Job xxx.
12. Household affairs; domestic concerns. Set thy house in order. 2 Kings xx.
13. The body; the residence of the soul in this world; as, our earthly house. 2 Cor. v.
14. The church among the Jews. Moses was faithful in all his house. Heb. iii.
15. A place of residence. Egypt is called the house of bondage. Ex. xiii.
16. A square, or division on a chess board. Encyc.