parlour

views updated May 29 2018

parlour, U.S. parlor apartment set aside for conversation in a religious house XIII; smaller room in a mansion, dwelling-house, etc. for private talk, (hence) family sitting-room XIV. — AN. parlur, OF. parleor, parleur (mod. parloir), f. Rom. *paraulare speak (see PARLANCE); the ending is assim. to -OUR2.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

parlour

views updated May 23 2018

parlour.
1. Apartment in, e.g., a monastery for conversation with outsiders or among inmates.

2. Room set apart from a larger hall for private conversations, e.g. mayor's parlour in a town hall.

3. Sitting-room in a dwelling-house.

4. Dining- or supper-room.

A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture JAMES STEVENS CURL

parlour

views updated May 29 2018

parlour a room in a monastery or convent that is set aside for conversation. Recorded from Middle English, the word comes from Anglo-Norman French parlur ‘place for speaking’.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES