rostrum

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to the person on it
  2. noun beaklike projection of the anterior part of the head of certain insects such as e.g. weevils

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Latin rōstrum (“beak, snout”), from rōd(ō) (“gnaw”) + -trum, from Proto-Indo-European *Hreh₃d- + *-trom. The pulpit sense is a back-formation from the name of the Roman Rōstra, the platforms in the Forum where politicians made speeches. The Rōstra were decorated with (and named for) the beaks (prows) of ships from naval victories.

In classic literature

Synonyms

dais, podium, pulpit, ambo, stump, soapbox

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