ˈwaiting-ˌroom
[waiting vbl. n.]
A room set apart for those who are obliged to wait (usually in a public building, now esp. in a railway-station; also at a doctor's or dentist's).
| 1683 J. Reid Scots Gard'ner (1907) 3 There are ten steps up to the first story (which is hall or dining-room, withdrawing-room, bed-chamber, and waiting-room). 1834 Marryat P. Simple lii, I had called to pay my respects at the Admiralty, previous to joining, and was kicking my heels in the waiting-room. 1839 Bradshaw's Railway Companion, Sufficient time being allowed at the Birmingham Station, where refreshments are provided, and waiting rooms, with female attendants. 1869 Trollope He Knew etc. ix. (1878) 50 A club waiting-room is always a gloomy, unpromising place for a confidential conversation. 1888 Manch. of To-day 175 A rich-toned musical box is continually playing in the [dentist's] waiting-room. |
| attrib. 1883 C. M. Yonge Langley Advent. 257 They offered to make her a waiting-room woman as soon as there was a vacancy. |