Cothouse

/ˈkoʊthaʊs/ noun

Definition

A small house, cottage, or humble dwelling, sometimes used to distinguish it from a larger manor or main residence.

Etymology

Direct compound of 'cot' (small house) + 'house,' common in medieval land descriptions and property records.

Kelly Says

In medieval villages, a 'cothouse' signified exact social status—you were either in the manor, the cothouse, or the barn, and these distinctions determined your rights to water and firewood.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.