LOBBY

I. noun (plural lobbies) Etymology: Medieval Latin lobium gallery, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German louba porch Date: 1593 a corridor or hall connected with a larger room or series of rooms and used as a passageway or waiting room: as, an anteroom of a legislative chamber, a large hall serving as a foyer (as of a hotel or theater), a group of persons engaged in ~ing especially as representatives of a particular interest group, II. verb (lobbied; ~ing) Date: 1837 intransitive verb to conduct activities aimed at influencing public officials and especially members of a legislative body on legislation, transitive verb to promote (as a project) or secure the passage of (as legislation) by influencing public officials, to attempt to influence or sway (as a public official) toward a desired action, ~er noun ~ism noun ~ist noun