po·di·um

[poh-dee-uhm]
noun, plural po·di·ums, po·di·a [-dee-uh] .
1.
a small platform for the conductor of an orchestra, for a public speaker, etc.
2.
Architecture.
a.
a low wall forming a base for a construction, as a colonnade or dome.
b.
a stereobate for a classical temple, especially one with perpendicular sides.
c.
the masonry supporting a classical temple.
d.
a raised platform surrounding the arena of an ancient Roman amphitheater having on it the seats of privileged spectators.
4.
a counter or booth, as one at an airport for handling tickets or dispensing information.
5.
Zoology, Anatomy. a foot.
6.
Botany. a footstalk or stipe.

Origin:
1605–15; < Latin: elevated place, balcony < Greek pódion little foot, equivalent to pod- pod- + -ion diminutive suffix. See pew

00:10
Podium is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
Dictionary.com Unabridged

-podium

a combining form meaning “footlike part” of an organism, used in the formation of compound words: monopodium; pseudo-podium.
Also, -pode.


Origin:
< Neo-Latin; see podium

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
podium (ˈpəʊdɪəm) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n , pl -diums, -dia
1.  a small raised platform used by lecturers, orchestra conductors, etc; dais
2.  a plinth that supports a colonnade or wall
3.  a low wall surrounding the arena of an ancient amphitheatre
4.  zoology
 a.  the terminal part of a vertebrate limb
 b.  any footlike organ, such as the tube foot of a starfish
 
[C18: from Latin: platform, balcony, from Greek podion little foot, from pous foot]

-podium
 
n combining form
a part resembling a foot: pseudopodium
 
[from New Latin: footlike; see podium]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

podium
1743, "raised platform around an ancient arena," also "projecting base of a pedestal," from L. podium "raised platform," from Gk. podion "foot of a vase," dim. of pous (gen. podos) "foot" (see foot). Meaning "raised platform at the front of a hall or stage" is from 1947.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
He did smile happily after he mounted the victory podium to the familiar top step.
But he faced many barriers before he ever got to a podium.
As he had during each visit, the search-committee chair approached the podium.
He normally looks down and walks carefully to and from the podium.
Images for podium
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