\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.