lobby
UK[ˈlɒbi]US[ˈlɑːbi]
n
A room providing a space out of which one or more other rooms or corridors lead, typically one near the entrance of a public building.
n
A group of people seeking to influence legislators or other public officials in favor of a specific cause.
v
To seek to influence (a legislator or other public official) on an issue.
Etymology
The word 'lobby' has a journey that begins with architectural terminology. It originates from the Medieval Latin 'lobia', denoting a covered walkway or portico, a term borrowed from a West Germanic word related to the Old High German 'louba', meaning 'hall, roof'. This architectural sense entered English in the 16th century, referring to the entrance hall of a building. The political meaning emerged in 19th-century American English from the practice of influence-seekers gathering in the lobby of the Capitol to meet with legislators. Thus, the term evolved from a physical space to describe the activity conducted within it and the group of people performing that activity.
Analysis
The word 'lobby' is a simplex word. It entered English as a whole lexical unit from Medieval Latin. Its core component is the Medieval Latin 'lobia' or 'lobium', meaning 'a covered walk, portico', which itself derived from a Germanic source.
Examples
We agreed to meet in the hotel lobby at seven o'clock.
The environmental lobby has been putting pressure on the government to change its policy.
Several groups are lobbying Congress for increased funding for medical research.