rostrum

(rästrəm)

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
    1. any platform, stage, etc. for public speaking
    2. public speaking, or public speakers collectively
  2. Biol. a beak or beaklike part

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

See rostrum in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. ros·trums or ros·tra (rŏsˈtrə, rôˈstrə)
  1. A dais, pulpit, or other elevated platform for public speaking.
  2. a. The curved, beaklike prow of an ancient Roman ship, especially a war galley.
    b. The speaker's platform in an ancient Roman forum, which was decorated with the prows of captured enemy ships.
  3. Biology A beaklike or snoutlike projection.

Origin:

Origin: Latin rōstrum, beak; see rēd- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • rosˈtral (-trəl) adjective

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