Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Rota
‖
Ro′ta
,Noun.
[L.
rota
wheel. The name is said to allude to the design of the floor of the room in which the court used to sit, which was that of a wheel. See Rotary
.] 1.
An ecclesiastical court of Rome, called also
Rota Romana
, that takes cognizance of suits by appeal. It consists of twelve members. 2.
(Eng. Hist.)
A short-lived political club established in 1659 by J.Harrington to inculcate the democratic doctrine of election of the principal officers of the state by ballot, and the annual retirement of a portion of Parliament.
Ro′ta
,Noun.
(Mus.)
A species of zither, played like a guitar, used in the Middle Ages in church music; – written also
rotta
. Webster 1828 Edition
Rota
RO'TA
,Noun.
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. This is one of the most august tribunals in Rome, taking cognizance of all suits in the territory of the church by appeal, and of all matters beneficiary and patrimonial.2.
In English history, a club of politicians, who, in the time of Charles I. contemplated an equal government by rotation.