combination-room

The students gather in the combination-room for a discussion.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A common room at Cambridge University: "combination-room" refers to a shared lounge or meeting room used by fellows or members of a college at the University of Cambridge, typically for social gatherings, discussions, or informal meetings after meals.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • After dinner, the professors retired to the combination-room for coffee and conversation. (The common room used by academic staff at Cambridge.)
  • The combination-room was decorated with portraits of former college masters. (The shared lounge in a Cambridge college.)

Advanced Usage

• "Combination-room" is a specific term in the context of Cambridge University, contrasting with "senior combination-room" (for fellows) and "junior combination-room" (for students). It is rarely used outside this academic setting.
  • The senior combination-room is reserved for fellows, while the junior combination-room is for undergraduates. (The term distinguishes between faculty and student common rooms.)

Variants and Related Words

• Combination (n): a joining or merging of different parts or qualities.

  • The combination of ingredients created a delicious dish. (The mixture of elements.)

• Room (n): a part of a building enclosed by walls, floor, and ceiling.

  • The room was filled with students. (An enclosed space in a building.)

Synonyms

• Common room: a shared lounge in a college or university.
• Lounge: a room for relaxation or socializing.
• Faculty room: a room for academic staff (less specific than "combination-room").

Phrasal Verbs

• None directly associated with "combination-room," as it is a fixed noun phrase.

Related Idioms

• "To be in the combination-room": to be present in the common room at Cambridge.
  • He spent the evening in the combination-room discussing philosophy. (He was in the college lounge.)