Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Hall
Hall
(ha̤l)
, Noun.
1.
A building or room of considerable size and stateliness, used for public purposes;
as, Westminster
. Hall
, in London2.
(a)
The chief room in a castle or manor house, and in early times the only public room, serving as the place of gathering for the lord’s family with the retainers and servants, also for cooking and eating. It was often contrasted with the
bower
, which was the private or sleeping apartment. Hence, as the entrance from outside was directly into the hall:
(b)
A vestibule, entrance room, etc., in the more elaborated buildings of later times.
Hence: (c)
Any corridor or passage in a building.
3.
A name given to many manor houses because the magistrate's court was held in the hall of his mansion; a chief mansion house.
Cowell.
4.
A college in an English university (at Oxford, an unendowed college).
5.
The apartment in which English university students dine in common; hence, the dinner itself;
as,
. hall
is at six o'clock
Syn. – Entry; court; passage. See
Vestibule
. Webster 1828 Edition
Hall
HALL
,Noun.
1.
In architecture, a large room at the entrance of a house or palace. In the houses of ministers of state, magistrates, &c.,it is the place where they give audience and dispatch business.2.
An edifice in which courts of justice are held; as Westminster Hall, which was originally a royal palace,the kings of England formerly holding their parliaments and courts of judicature in their own dwellings, as is still the practice in Spain.3.
A manor-house, in which courts were formerly held.4.
A college, or large edifice belonging to a collegiate institution.5.
A room for a corporation or public assembly; as a town-hall; Fanueil Hall in Boston, &c.6.
A collegiate body in the universities of Oxford and Cambridge.