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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Lobby

Lōb'by, n.

noun

n. [L. Lat. lobium, lobia, laubia, lobbia, a covered portico fit for walking, from Ger. laub, because places of this kind are often covered with leaves and boughs; N. H. Ger. kaube, arbor, bower, from laub, foliage; M. H. Ger. loube, O. H. Ger. loubja, louppa, loupjā.]

  1. (Arch.) An inclosed place surrounding or communicating with one or more apartments; also, a small hall or waiting-room, or an entrance into a principal apartment when there is a considerable space between it and a portico or vestibule. Gwilt.
  2. That part of a hall of legislation not appropriated to the official use of the assembly; hence, the men who frequent such a place for the sake of business with the legislators. [U. S.]
  3. (Naut.) An apartment close before the captain’s cabin.
  4. (Agr.) A confined place for cattle, formed by hedges, trees, or other fencing, near the farm-yard.

Lobby member, a person who frequents the lobby of a house of legislation, for the purpose of influencing measures. [U. S.]

Lŏb'by, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. [imp. & p. p. LOBBIED; p. pr. & vb. n. LOBBYING.] To address or solicit members of a legislative body in the lobby or elsewhere away from the House, with a view to influence their votes. This is practiced by persons not belonging to the legislature. [U. S.] Bartlett.