Chiefly U.S. [f. LOBBY + -IST.] One who frequents the lobbies of the House of Representatives in order to influence members in the exercise of their legislative functions. Also occas., a journalist or other person who frequents the lobby of the House of Commons.
1863. Cornh. Mag., Jan., 96. A Representative listening to a lobbyist, whose tongue ran oil and wine.
1888. Bryce, Amer. Commw., I. xiv. 213. The arrangements of the committee system have produced and sustain the class of professional ‘lobbyists,’… who make it their business to ‘see’ members.
1894. Sat. Rev., 14 April, 383/2. The excited lobbyists who prattled last Saturday and Monday about a threatened defeat of Ministers.
So Lobbyism, the system of lobbying.
1826. Northern Sentinel, 13 Jan., 2/4. Leave to us … our freedom from bribery, corruption, lobbyism, and every other evil principle which is called into existence in the assemblage at Albany.
1883. Pall Mall Gaz., 6 Sept., 3/2. American manners, American lobbyism, and American corruption.
