anti-camera

Noun

ante-camera (plural ante-cameras)

1. An antechamber, specifically one where visitors wait before being given audience with an influential person such as a pope or monarch.
   • As it hapned to that wiſe Philoſopher who being clad in a meane but honeſt habit, preſſed amongſt the rest to the Kings Ante-camera, or with-drawing Chamber, where hee vſed to giue Audience, hauing very neceſſary occaſion to ſpeake vnto him.1632, [Juan de Santa María], translated by I. M. [i.e., James Mabbe], “Of the Repartment and Diuision Which Is to Be Vsed in the Conferring of Offices; […]”, in Policie Vnueiled: Wherein May Be...