parloir

visiting room

noun par-LWAR Rare

Origin: Old French parler (to speak)

Also means

parlour

Usage Note

Parloir refers to the room in a prison or convent where visitors meet inmates or residents; the image is of a place set aside specifically for speaking (parler). In older usage it also meant a formal reception room in a school or bourgeois home. The word parloir is etymologically related to parler, paroles, and pourparlers (negotiations).

Examples

"Il attendait sa famille au parloir de la prison."

Natural Translation

He was waiting for his family in the prison visiting room.

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