[lob.by] n, pl lobbies [ML lobium gallery, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG louba porch] (1593) 1: a corridor or hall connected with a larger room or series of rooms and used as a passageway or waiting room: as a: an anteroom of a legislative chamber; esp: one of two anterooms of a British parliamentary chamber to which members go to vote during a division b: a large hall serving as a foyer (as of a hotel or theater)
2: a group of persons engaged in lobbying esp. as representatives of a particular interest group
[2]lobby vb lob.bied ; lob.by.ing vi (1837): to conduct activities aimed at influencing public officials and esp. members of a legislative body on legislation ~ vt 1: to promote (as a project) or secure the passage of (as legislation) by influencing public officials
2: to attempt to influence or sway (as a public official) toward a desired action -- lob.by.er n -- lob.by.ism n -- lob.by.ist n