Saloon \Sa*loon"\ (s[.a]*l[=oo]n"), n. [F. salon (cf. It. salone), fr. F. salle a large room, a hall, of German or Dutch origin; cf. OHG. sal house, hall, G. saal; akin to AS. s[ae]l, sele, D. zaal, Icel. salr, Goth. saljan to dwell, and probably to L. solum ground. Cf. Sole of the foot, Soil ground, earth.]

1. A spacious and elegant apartment for the reception of company or for works of art; a hall of reception, esp. a hall for public entertainments or amusements; a large room or parlor; as, the saloon of a steamboat.

The gilden saloons in which the first magnates of the realm . . . gave banquets and balls. --Macaulay.

2. Popularly, a public room for specific uses; esp., a barroom or grogshop; as, a drinking saloon; an eating saloon; a dancing saloon.

We hear of no hells, or low music halls, or low dancing saloons [at Athens.]

--J. P. Mahaffy.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)