parlour

[pahr-ler]

noun

Chiefly British.

1. parlor.

parlour

/ ˈpɑːlə /

noun

1. old-fashioned,  a living room, esp one kept tidy for the reception of visitors

2. a reception room in a priest's house, convent, etc

3. a small room for guests away from the public rooms in an inn, club, etc

4. a room or shop equipped as a place of business

   a billiard parlor

5. a small shop, esp one selling cakes and nonalcoholic drinks

6. Also called: milking parlour. a building equipped for the milking of cows

Spelling Note

See -or ¹.

Word History and Origins

Origin of parlour¹

C13: from Anglo-Norman parlur, from Old French parleur room in convent for receiving guests, from parler to speak; see _parley

Example Sentences

Speaking to BBC Newsnight, the couple said they discovered Ms Upton had kept their daughter's body at her home, six miles away from the funeral parlour where they believed her body was being looked after.

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The sequel focuses on Dolphin, 33, still looking after her mum and feeling dejected with life living in a bedsit and working at a tattoo parlour.

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They said they had agreed to their daughter being taken by Florrie's Army, as Ms Upton had led them to believe the body was being kept at a funeral parlour in Headingley until the burial.

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The measure is expected to lead to higher prices at supermarkets and restaurants, such as pizza parlours and Mexican eateries.

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When Cai Morgan walked out of the tattoo parlour delighted with his Welsh tribute to his family's mantra, he immediately started taking photos of it for friends and relatives.

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Related Words

• drawing room 
• parlor 
• salon 
• sitting room