Crossword Genius

A person, alternatively a house (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

manor

'a house' is the definition.
(manor is a kind of house)

'a person alternatively' is the wordplay.
'a person' becomes 'man' (man is a kind of person).
'alternatively' becomes 'or'.
'man'+'or'='MANOR'

(Other definitions for manor that I've seen before include "local copper's area" , "Grand but strange Roman house" , "Landed estate" , "Country seat" , "Mansion of a wealthy person" .)

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