Rōs'trum, n.

n. [Lat., from rodere, to gnaw; It. & Sp. rostro, Fr. rostre.]

1. The beak or bill of a bird.
2. The beak or head of a ship.
3. (Rom. Antiq.) A scaffold or elevated place in the forum, where orations, pleadings, funeral harangues, &c., were delivered.
4. Hence, any elevated platform from which a speaker addresses an audience.
5. (Bot.) A process in a plant resembling the beak of a bird.
6. (Chem.) The pipe which conveys the distilling liquor into its receiver in the common alembic. [Obs.] Quincy.
7. (Surg.) A crooked pair of forceps, having a beak-like form. [Obs.] Coxe.