rostrum English · revision 1266

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈɹɒstɹəm/ ''(UK)''; /ˈɹɑstɹəm/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|rostrum|t=beak, snout; ship's prow]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) originally “means of gnawing”, from ''rōdere'' “to gnaw”.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) It is related to [[rodent]].^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ In the plural, the platform for speakers in the Forum of ancient Rome (1542).^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The Roman platform was decorated with the beaks of ships captured in the first naval victory of the Republic, over Antium in 338 BCE.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) From 1766 the word meant any platform for public speaking,^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and later a pulpit (1771).^(OED 1989) In biology it names a beaklike or snoutlike part.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary) The plural is ''rostra'' or ''rostrums''.^(MW Collegiate)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1542 – the speakers' platform in the Roman Forum.^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1766 – any platform for public speaking.^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1771 – a pulpit.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A raised platform for public speaking; a [[dais]] or [[podium]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # The beaklike prow of an ancient warship, used for ramming.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # The speakers' platform in the ancient Roman [[forum]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+ # A beaklike or snoutlike projection, as in insects.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[rostral]]

+ * [[rostrate]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[rodent]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Random House lists ''stand'', ''dais'', ''podium'' and ''lectern'' as synonyms.^(RHWU)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}