​VESTIBULE (from Lat. vestibulum), the architectural term given to an antechamber next to the entrance and preceding the hall; it is also applied to the anteroom of any large apartment. The word is connected, like Vesta (q.v.), with the Sanscrit root vas-, to dwell, inhabit. In medieval Latin it was occasionally used, instead of vestiarium, fora vestry (see Du Cange, Gloss. med. lat., s.v.), which is derived from Lat. vestis, clothing.