parlor UK /ˈpɑːlə/US /ˈpɑɹlɚ/noun 7adjective 2forms 1 noun7 •The living room of a house, or a room for entertaining guests; a room for talking; a sitting-room or drawing room.So, after a spell, he decided to make the best of it and shoved us into the front parlor. 'Twas a dismal sort of place, with hair wreaths, and wax fruit, and tin lambrekins, and land knows what all. — 1913 •A shop or other business selling goods or services specified by context. •(Philippines) Ellipsis of beauty parlor. •(old-fashioned) A comfortable room in a public house.There had been a surprise party and some had entered his hotel parlour to get drink; before he was aware of it the accordion was being played in the room. — 1957 •A shed used for milking cattle; a milking parlor. •(Southern-US) A covered open-air patio. •(no longer used) The apartment in a monastery or nunnery where the residents are permitted to meet and converse with each other or with visitors from the outside. adjective2 •Used in or appropriate for a parlor.Parlor painting. •(figurative) Advocating something in a secluded place without actual involvement or action.Parlor socialism. formsparlors
