antechamber
/ˈantɪtʃeɪmbə
/noun
A small room leading to a main one: the antechamber to an interview room...
- The stairs creaked, the attic was spooky, the cellar dim and creepy; there were storage antechambers to every room.
- The main room was a rectangle with various antechambers and vestibules branching off down its length.
- The hatch opened into a small antechamber that led into the main hall.
Origin
Mid 17th century (as antichamber): from French antichambre, from Italian anticamera, from anti- 'preceding' + camera (see chamber).