1. A relatively small house, often in a village, in the countryside, in a suburb, or at the seashore. 2. A small vacation house. 3.A dwelling, often temporary, that provides only basic shelter. 4. An imposing mansion (as found in Newport, Rhode Island). Also see banquette cottage, Cajun cottage, Chicago cottage, Dutch cottage, Normandy cottage, one-and-one-half bay cottage, one-bay cottage, one-room cottage, palma cottage, prairie cottage, raised cottage, tidewater cottage, two-bay cottage.