hovel
[ huhv-uh l, hov- ]
/ ˈhʌv əl, ˈhɒv- /
noun
a small, very humble dwelling house; a wretched hut.
any dirty, disorganized dwelling.
an open shed, as for sheltering cattle or tools.
verb (used with object), hov·eled, hov·el·ing or (especially British) hov·elled, hov·el·ling.
to shelter or lodge as in a hovel.
Nearby words
Origin of hovel
1375–1425; late Middle English hovell, of uncertain origin
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for hovel
British Dictionary definitions for hovel
hovel
/ (ˈhʌvəl, ˈhɒv-) /
noun
a ramshackle dwelling place
an open shed for livestock, carts, etc
the conical building enclosing a kiln
verb -els, -elling or -elled or US -els, -eling or -eled
to shelter or be sheltered in a hovel
Word Origin for hovel
C15: of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for hovel
hovel
mid-14c., "roofed passage, vent for smoke," later "shed for animals" (mid-15c.), of unknown origin. Meaning "shed for human habitation; rude or miserable cabin" is from 1620s. It also sometimes meant "canopied niche for a statue or image" (mid-15c.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper