ROSTRUM • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Rostrum

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/rˈɑstrəm/ Listen

noun

Rostrum n. (pl. L. rostra, E. rostrums)

1.

The beak or head of a ship.

2.

pl. (Rostra) (Rom. Antiq.) The Beaks; the stage or platform in the forum where orations, pleadings, funeral harangues, etc., were delivered; so called because after the Latin war, it was adorned with the beaks of captured vessels; later, applied also to other platforms erected in Rome for the use of public orators.

3.

Hence, a stage for public speaking; the pulpit or platform occupied by an orator or public speaker. "Myself will mount the rostrum in his favor."

4.

(Zool.)

(a)

Any beaklike prolongation, esp. of the head of an animal, as the beak of birds.

(b)

The beak, or sucking mouth parts, of Hemiptera.

(c)

The snout of a gastropod mollusk.

(d)

The anterior, often spinelike, prolongation of the carapace of a crustacean, as in the lobster and the prawn.

5.

(Bot.) Same as Rostellum.

6.

(Old Chem.) The pipe to convey the distilling liquor into its receiver in the common alembic.

7.

(Surg.) A pair of forceps of various kinds, having a beaklike form. (Obs.)

See images of 'Rostrum'

Etymology of 'Rostrum'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Rostrum" Quotes from Famous Books

... herself! No woman whose judgment is well-balanced, and whose womanly-nature is finely strung, but will regard the path to the rostrum with shrinking and dismay. Either the desire to save and help her fellow-creatures, "plucking them out of the fire," if need be, is so strong upon her as to overmaster all fear of man; or else the necessities and claims of near ...

— Elizabeth Fry • Mrs. E. R. Pitman

... which his display will carry farthest to the eyes of the crowd. Even if the bird were controlled by the will of a trainer for the purpose of vanity display, the exhibition could not possibly be more perfect. Like a good speaker on a rostrum, the bird faces first in one direction and then in another, and occasionally with a slow and stately movement it completely revolves on its axis for the benefit of those in the rear. "Vain as a peacock" is by ...

— The Minds and Manners of Wild Animals • William T. Hornaday

... the senate-house; and with such eagerness and hurry did the people crowd to the doors of the senate-house, that the messenger could not approach, but was dragged off by persons who asked him questions, and demanded vociferously that the letter should be read on the rostrum before it was read in the senate. At length they were put back and restrained by the magistrates; and thus the joy was gradually dispensed to their overpowered spirits. The letter was read first in the senate, and then in the assembly of the people. ...

— History of Rome, Vol III • Titus Livius

... listens much to the cry for 'wisdom' in its modern forms, has departed from the true perspective of Christian teaching, and will weaken the churches which depend upon it. Let who will turn the pulpit into a professor's chair, or a lecturer's platform, or a concert-room stage or a politician's rostrum, I for one determine to know nothing among you save Jesus Christ and ...

— Expositions of Holy Scripture: Romans Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V) • Alexander Maclaren

... the NIGGER not made the central figger this year, ez before? They is the capital uv the Democrisy, its refuge, its tower of strength. I spoke in Berks county myself, following one of them new-fangled Democrats, who hed set em all asleep talkin stuff to em that they didn't understand. Mountin the rostrum, I ejaculated,— ...

— "Swingin Round the Cirkle." • Petroleum V. Nasby

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