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lobbying - 2 dictionary results

lob⋅by

[lob-ee] noun, plural -bies, verb, -bied, -by⋅ing.
–noun
1. an entrance hall, corridor, or vestibule, as in a public building, often serving as an anteroom; foyer.
2. a large public room or hall adjacent to a legislative chamber.
3. a group of persons who work or conduct a campaign to influence members of a legislature to vote according to the group's special interest.
–verb (used without object)
4. to solicit or try to influence the votes of members of a legislative body.
–verb (used with object)
5. to try to influence the actions of (public officials, esp. legislators).
6. to urge or procure the passage of (a bill), by lobbying.

Origin:
1545–55; < ML lobia, laubia covered way < OHG *laubia (later lauba) arbor, deriv. of laub leaf


lob⋅by⋅er, noun
lob·by   (lŏb'ē)   
n.   pl. lob·bies
  1. A hall, foyer, or waiting room at or near the entrance to a building, such as a hotel or theater.
  2. A public room next to the assembly chamber of a legislative body.
  3. A group of persons engaged in trying to influence legislators or other public officials in favor of a specific cause: the banking lobby; the labor lobby.
v.   lob·bied, lob·by·ing, lob·bies

v.   intr.
To try to influence the thinking of legislators or other public officials for or against a specific cause: lobbying for stronger environmental safeguards; lobbied against the proliferation of nuclear arms.
v.   tr.
  1. To try to influence public officials on behalf of or against (proposed legislation, for example): lobbied the bill through Congress; lobbied the bill to a negative vote.
  2. To try to influence (an official) to take a desired action.

[Medieval Latin lobia, monastic cloister, of Germanic origin.]
lob'by·er, lob'by·ist n., lob'by·ism n.
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