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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Hence, a stage for public speaking; the pulpit or platform occupied by an orator or public speaker. [ 1913 Webster ]

Myself will mount the rostrum in his favor. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Bot.) Same as Rostellum. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Old Chem.) The pipe to convey the distilling liquor into its receiver in the common alembic. Quincy. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Surg.) A pair of forceps of various kinds, having a beaklike form. [ Obs. ] Coxe. [ 1913 Webster ]