houseling

English

Etymology 1

From Middle English houselyng, housling, from Old English hūslung (“administration of the sacrament”), from Old English hūslian (“to administer the sacrament”), equivalent to housel +‎ -ing.

Noun

houseling (plural houselings)

1. The act of administering the eucharist.

Adjective

houseling (not comparable)

1. Of or pertaining to the eucharist.
2. Pertaining to any of the sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church, such as marriage.

Derived terms

• houseling people

Verb

houseling

1. present participle and gerund of housel

Etymology 2

From house +‎ -ling.

Noun

houseling (plural houselings)

1. A small or miniature house.
   • 2011, John Knauf, The Ropewalk:

     There was a copula up there, one of those small, windowed houselings whose pointed roof inevitably supported the weathervane, as it did here.

2. One who frequently remains indoors or at home.
   • 1889, The Homiletic review, volume 17, page 188:

     It meant that pallid houselings sat in the sunshine and got well.

3. A tame animal, or one reared by hand.

Synonyms

• (small house): houselet