Rō'tā, n.

n. [Lat. rota, wheel, W. rhod, id., allied to rhedu, to run. The name is derived from the fact that they sit in a circle.]

1Sense 1. An ecclesiastical court of Rome, composed of twelve prelates, of whom one must be a German, another a Frenchman, and two Spaniards; the other eight are Italians. It takes cognizance of all suits in the territory of the church by appeal, and of all matters beneficiary and patrimonial.

2Sense 2. (Eng. Hist.) A club of politicians, who, in the time of Charles I., contemplated an equal government by rotation. Hudibras.