n. (pl. rostra or rostrums) 1 a a platform for public speaking. b a conductor's platform facing the orchestra. c a similar platform for other purposes, e.g. for supporting a film or television camera. 2 Zool. & Bot. a beak, stiff snout, or beaklike part, esp. of an insect or arachnid. 3 Rom. Antiq. the beak of a war-galley. (all in sense 2) rostrate adj. rostriferous adj. rostriform adj.
[ L, = beak f. rodere ros- gnaw: orig. rostra (pl., in sense 1a) in the Roman forum adorned with beaks of captured galleys ]