%lobby%

n.; pl. Lobbies [ LL. lobium, lobia, laubia, a covered portico fit for walking, fr. OHG. louba, G. laube, arbor. See Lodge. ] 1. (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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. 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. ] [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

3. (Naut.) An apartment or passageway in the fore part of an old-fashioned cabin under the quarter-deck. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Agric.) A confined place for cattle, formed by hedges. trees, or other fencing, near the farmyard. [ 1913 Webster ]

Lobby member, a lobbyist. [ Humorous cant, U. S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]