/ros"treuhm/ , n. , pl. rostra /-treuh/ , rostrums .
1. any platform, stage, or the like, for public speaking.
2. a pulpit.
3. a beaklike projection from the prow of a ship, esp. one on an ancient warship for ramming an enemy ship; beak; ram.
4. Rom. Antiq. (in the forum) the raised platform, adorned with the beaks of captured warships, from which orations, pleadings, etc., were delivered.
5. Biol. a beaklike process or extension of some part; rostellum.
6. Brit. Theat. a raised platform or dais, esp. one with hinged sides that can be folded and stored within a relatively small space.
[ 1570-80; rostrum snout, bill, beak of a bird, ship's prow (in pl., speaker's platform), equiv. to rod ( ere ) to gnaw, bite (cf. RODENT) + -trum instrumental suffix, with dt > st ]
Syn. 1. stand, dais, podium, lectern.