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Where does the word "rostrum" come from? It comes from Latin rostrum, and was adopted directly into English (1540s).
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Where does the word "rostrum" come from? It comes from Latin rostrum, and was adopted directly into English (1540s).
Rostrum’s story begins in Latin: rostrum meant “beak.” Roman speakers' platforms were decorated with the beaks of captured ships. It reached English by 1540s as rostrum. 'rostra' in the Roman Forum were adorned with ship prows. Today, rostrum means a raised platform.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient rostrum "beak", Roman speakers' platforms were decorated with the beaks of captured ships.
- Stage 2 · English · 1540s rostrum "speaker's platform", 'rostra' in the Roman Forum were adorned with ship prows.