lobb

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 ]

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, with the purpose to influence their votes; in an extended sense, to try to influence decision-makers in any circumstance. [ U.S. ] Bartlett. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To urge the adoption or passage of by soliciting members of a legislative body; as, to lobby a bill; -- also used with the legislators as object; as, to lobby the state legislatuire for protection. [ U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]