rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: hām
Old English

hām

home or dwelling place

Forms

  • hām
  • home — The modern form reflects later vowel changes.
  • -ham — A shortened form preserved in many place names.

Origin

An inherited Germanic dwelling word.

Note

The independent word and the place-name ending developed different modern pronunciations.

3 / 5
A comfortable armchair with a worn knitted blanket, slippers, potted plant and warm reading lamp forms an inviting familiar domestic nook.
adjective

homelike

HOME-like/hˈoʊmlˌaɪk/

Comfortable and welcoming like a home.

Etymology
homeOld Englishhome or dwelling place
+likeEnglishhaving similar qualities

Home plus like describes a place with the qualities of a home, not necessarily one's actual residence. The selected sense emphasizes the familiarity and ease associated with being at home.

Full entry

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