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Webster 1913 Edition


Lectern

Lec′tern

(lĕk′tŭrn)
,
Noun.
[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.

Definition 2024


lectern

lectern

English

Noun

lectern (plural lecterns)

  1. A stand with a slanted top used to support a bible from which passages are read during a church service.
  2. A similar stand to support a lecturer's notes.

Usage notes

While podium is a more commonly used synonym, particularly for secular lecturing, some reject this usage and instead insist on lectern – see usage notes at podium.

Synonyms

Related terms

Translations

References

  1. lectern” in Douglas Harper, Online Etymology Dictionary (2001).