rostrum

noun pl. rostrums or rostra

1. in ancient Rome,
   1. a curved, beaklike projection at the prow of a ship; esp., such a projection on a war galley, used for ramming enemy vessels; beak
   2. the speakers' platform in the Forum, decorated with such beaks taken from captured ships
2. 1. any platform, stage, etc. for public speaking
   2. public speaking, or public speakers collectively
3. Biol. a beak or beaklike part

Origin: L, beak, in pl., speakers' platform (see rostrum) < rosus, pp. of rodere, to gnaw, peck: see rat