The Collaborative International Dictionary
Lobby \Lob"by\, n.; pl. Lobbies. [LL. lobium, lobia, laubia, a covered portico fit for walking, fr. OHG. louba, G. laube, arbor. See Lodge.]
(Arch.) A passage or hall of communication, especially when large enough to serve also as a waiting room. It differs from an antechamber in that a lobby communicates between several rooms, an antechamber to one only; but this distinction is not carefully preserved.
That part of a hall of legislation not appropriated to the official use of the assembly; hence, the persons, collectively, who frequent such a place to transact business with the legislators; hence: any persons, not members of a legislative body, who strive to influence its proceedings by personal agency; a group of lobbyists for a particular cause; as, the drug industry lobby. [U. S.]
(Naut.) An apartment or passageway in the fore part of an old-fashioned cabin under the quarter-deck.
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(Agric.) A confined place for cattle, formed by hedges. trees, or other fencing, near the farmyard.
Lobby member, a lobbyist. [Humorous cant, U. S.]