ˈlektə(r)n, -ˌtərn, -ˌtə̄n, -ˌtəin noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English lectorne, lectrun, alteration (influenced by Medieval Latin lectorinum, lectrinum lectern) of lettorne, letrune, from Middle French letrun, letrin, from Medieval Latin lectorinum, lectrinum, from Late Latin lector + Latin -inum (neuter of -inus -ine) — more at lector
1.
a. : a reading desk in a church on which the Bible is placed and from which scripture lessons are read during public worship
b. : a singing desk used in the choir of a church
2. : a desk or stand with a sloping top and usually a ledge at the bottom of the slope designed to support a book or script in a convenient position for a reader standing before it
was always standing restlessly at his lectern when his classes assembled — James Thurber
spoke from an ornate lectern