ˈpresence-ˌchamber
[Cf. prec. 2 c, d.]
The chamber in which a sovereign or other great personage receives guests, or persons entitled to appear before him; a reception-room in a palace or great house. Also fig.
| [1565–1643 Chamber of presence: see prec. 2 d.] 1575 Laneham Let. (1871) 47 The Parcæ..at high midnight, gate them gigling..into the prezens Chamber. a 1649 Drummond of Hawthornden Consid. Parlt. Wks. (1711) 186 That no man stand bare-headed in the presence-chamber or parliament-house of Scotland, or before any chair of state. 1667 Poole Dial. betw. Protest. & Papist (1735) 143 We shew our Reverence to the King in being uncovered in his Presence Chamber, though the King be not there. 1827 Hallam Const. Hist. (1876) I. v. 251 The peers..were excluded the presence-chamber till they made their submission. 1885 W. F. Martin Mem. vii. 160 Her closet was the presence-chamber of Deity. |