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
Words nearby lectern
lecky,
leclair,
leclanché cell,
leconte de lisle,
lect.,
lectern,
lectin,
lection,
lectionary,
lector,
lectotype
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