View synonyms for rostrum

rostrum

[ ros-truhm ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural ros·tra [ros, -tr, uh], ros·trums.

any platform, stage, or the like, for public speaking.
Synonyms: lectern, podium, dais, stand
a pulpit.
a beaklike projection from the prow of a ship, especially one on an ancient warship for ramming an enemy ship; beak; ram.
Roman Antiquity. (in the forum) the raised platform, adorned with the beaks of captured warships, from which orations, pleadings, etc., were delivered.
Biology. a beaklike process or extension of some part; rostellum.
British Theater. a raised platform or dais, especially one with hinged sides that can be folded and stored within a relatively small space.

rostrum

/ ˈrɒstrəm /

noun

any platform, stage, or dais on which public speakers stand to address an audience
a platform or dais in front of an orchestra on which the conductor stands
another word for ram
the prow or beak of an ancient Roman ship
biology zoology a beak or beaklike part

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Word History and Origins

Origin of rostrum¹

1570–80; < Latin rōstrum snout, bill, beak of a bird, ship's prow (in plural, speaker's platform), equivalent to rōd ( ere ) to gnaw, bite ( rodent ) + -trum instrumental suffix, with dt > st

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Word History and Origins

Origin of rostrum¹

C16: from Latin rōstrum beak, ship's prow, from rōdere to nibble, gnaw; in plural, rōstra , orator's platform, because this platform in the Roman forum was adorned with the prows of captured ships