lectern

[ lek-tern ]
/ ˈlɛk tərn /

noun

a reading desk in a church on which the Bible rests and from which the lessons are read during the church service.
a stand with a slanted top, used to hold a book, speech, manuscript, etc., at the proper height for a reader or speaker.

Origin of lectern

1275–1325; earlier lectron(e), late Middle English lectryn < Medieval Latin lēctrīnum, derivative of lēctrum lectern, equivalent to Latin leg(ere) to read + -trum instrumental suffix; replacing Middle English letroun, lettorne < Middle French letrun < Medieval Latin lēctrum, as above

Example sentences from the Web for lectern

British Dictionary definitions for lectern

lectern
/ (ˈlɛktən) /

noun

a reading desk or support in a church
any similar desk or support

Word Origin for lectern

C14: from Old French lettrun, from Late Latin lectrum, ultimately from legere to read