parloir - Wiktionary, the free dictionary


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From French parloir (parlor). Doublet of parlor.

parloir (plural parloirs)

  1. A room set aside for visitors in a monastery or convent, where they can talk to residents. [from 18th c.]
    • 1790, Helen Maria Williams, Letters Written in France, Broadview Press, published 2002, page 111:

      The first to which we went was a convent of Benedictine Nuns. When we had entered the gates we rang a bell, and a servant appeared, and desired us to go up stairs to the parloir.

From parl(er) +‎ -oir.

parloir m (plural parloirs)

  1. parlour (of house, covent)
  2. visitors' room (of hospital, school); visiting room (of prison)
  3. greenroom (in theatre etc.)