Kiosk

From ArticleWorld

A kiosk today is typically a booth with a large open window on one side. Kiosks are often used by small cornershop-type businesses, or to dispense information at zoos, parks, museums, trade fairs etc, sometimes using a computer.

Kiosks used as shops typically include newsstands and fast-food outlets. Information kiosks or booths usually house a knowledgeable person, maps, pamphlets, guidebooks etc. Computer kiosks house a fully functioning computer, often outfitted with multimedia accessories for presentations and virtual guides, and are characterized by blocking user access to all system functions.

Etymologically, kiosk originally comes from the 13th century word for a garden structure in Turkey and Iran, and spread through the Ottoman Empire. A kiosk, such as those around Topkapi Palace and 19th century European parks is often an elegant wrought iron pavilion or gazebo.