Lectern

Lectern
Lectern Lec"tern (l[e^]k"t[u^]rn), n. [Written also {lecturn} and {lettern}.] [LL. lectrinum, fr. lectrum; cf. L. legere, lectum, to read.] 1. A choir desk, or reading desk, in some churches, from which the lections, or Scripture lessons, are chanted or read. --Fairholt. [1913 Webster]

2. Hence: A reading desk, usually in the form of a stand with a slanted top that holds books or lecture notes at a height convenient for reading by a speaker who is standing. A modern lectern may be of adjustable height, and be fitted with a light to illuminate the material on the desk, and sometimes a microphone or other electrical equipment for use of a speaker. [PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Lectern — • Support for a book, reading desk, or bookstand, a solid and permanent structure upon which the Sacred Books, which were generally large and heavy, were placed when used by the ministers of the altar in liturgical functions Catholic Encyclopedia …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • lectern — (n.) early 14c., lettorne, lettron, from O.Fr. letron, from M.L. lectrinum, from L.L. lectrum lectern, from root of L. legere to read (see LECTURE (Cf. lecture) (n.)). Half re Latinized in 15c …   Etymology dictionary

  • lectern — [n] reading desk ambo, platform, pulpit, reading stand, rostrum, stand, support; concepts 440,443 …   New thesaurus

  • lectern — ► NOUN ▪ a tall stand with a sloping top from which a speaker can read while standing up. ORIGIN Latin lectrum, from legere to read …   English terms dictionary

  • lectern — [lek′tərn] n. [ME lectorne, altered (infl. by L forms) < earlier lettrun < OFr < ML lectrum < L lectus, pp. of legere, to read: see LOGIC] 1. a reading desk in a church, esp. such a desk from which a part of the Scriptures is read in… …   English World dictionary

  • Lectern — A lectern (from the Latin lectus , past participle of legere , to read ) is a reading desk with a slanted top, usually placed on a stand or affixed to a some other form of support, on which documents or books are placed as support for reading… …   Wikipedia

  • lectern — /lek teuhrn/, n. 1. a reading desk in a church on which the Bible rests and from which the lessons are read during the church service. 2. a stand with a slanted top, used to hold a book, speech, manuscript, etc., at the proper height for a reader …   Universalium

  • lectern — Lecturn Lec turn (l[e^]k t[u^]rn), n. [LL. lectrinum, fr. lectrum; cf. L. legere, lectum, to read.] Same as {lectern}. [Written also {lectern} and {lettern}.] Fairholt. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • lectern — UK [ˈlektɜː(r)n] / US [ˈlektərn] noun [countable] Word forms lectern : singular lectern plural lecterns a tall piece of furniture with a sloping surface where you put an open book or document when you are giving a speech …   English dictionary

  • Lectern —    The desk or stand from which the Scriptural Lessons in Church are read, and is so called from this fact. The term lectern is derived from the Latin word lecturni, meaning a pulpit or from the Greek lektron, a couch or rest for a book. Lecterns …   American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia

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