18 June 2017

rostrum

[ros-truh m]

noun, plural rostra [ros-truh] (Show IPA), rostrums.

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

Origin of rostrum

Latin

1570-1580; Latin rōstrum snout, bill, beak of a bird, ship’s prow (in plural, speaker’s platform), equivalent to rōd(ere) to gnaw, bite (cf. rodent ) + -trum instrumental suffix, with dt > st

Synonyms

1. stand, dais, podium, lectern.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for rostrum Expand
Contemporary Examples
It was hard not to get mixed messages from the rostrum, too.

Fear and Loathing at the Republican Leadership Conference
David Freedlander
June 2, 2014

That nominee had three challenges as he took the rostrum in Tampa.
Romney’s Lame Speech Might Have Gone Better Had He Learned From Bush 1 and Al Gore
Robert Shrum
August 31, 2012

Historical Examples

Presently they were all assembled, and the Head appeared upon his rostrum.
The Lighter Side of School Life
Ian Hay

Anagram

Mrs Tour
Mr Tours
sort rum

Today’s quote

I think I’m cool. That’s all that matters.

– Tyler, The Creator

On this day

18 June 1942 – birth of Paul McCartney, member of The Beatles and his writing partnership with John Lennon made them one of the world’s most successful song-writing duos. After the break-up of the Beatles, McCartney went on to have a successful solo career. He was knighted in 1997.