rostra

2 definitions found

rostra - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Rostrum \Ros"trum\ (-tr[u^]m), n.; pl. L. Rostra, E.
     Rostrums. [L., beak, ship's beak, fr. rodere, rosum, to
     gnaw. See Rodent.]
     1. The beak or head of a ship.
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     2. pl. (Rostra) (Rom. Antiq.) The Beaks; the stage or
        platform in the forum where orations, pleadings, funeral
        harangues, etc., were delivered; -- so called because
        after the Latin war, it was adorned with the beaks of
        captured vessels; later, applied also to other platforms
        erected in Rome for the use of public orators.
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     3. Hence, a stage for public speaking; the pulpit or platform
        occupied by an orator or public speaker.
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              Myself will mount the rostrum in his favor.
                                                    --Addison.
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     4. (Zool.)
        (a) Any beaklike prolongation, esp. of the head of an
            animal, as the beak of birds.
        (b) The beak, or sucking mouth parts, of Hemiptera.
        (c) The snout of a gastropod mollusk. See Illust. of
            Littorina.
        (d) The anterior, often spinelike, prolongation of the
            carapace of a crustacean, as in the lobster and the
            prawn.
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     5. (Bot.) Same as Rostellum.
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     6. (Old Chem.) The pipe to convey the distilling liquor into
        its receiver in the common alembic. --Quincy.
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     7. (Surg.) A pair of forceps of various kinds, having a
        beaklike form. [Obs.] --Coxe.
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  Rostra \Ros"tra\, n. pl.
     See Rostrum, 2.
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