Podium
Pl. podia, podiums.
1. Arch. a. A continuous projecting base or pedestal, a stylobate. b. A raised platform surrounding the arena in an ancient amphitheatre. c. A continuous seat or bench around a room.
d. A raised platform or dais at the front of a hall or stage; spec. that occupied by the conductor of an orchestra.
e. A projecting lower structure around the base of a tower block.
2. Anat. and Zool. a. The fore or hind foot (manus or pes) of a mammal or other vertebrate; in birds, the junction of the toes, or the toes collectively. b. In compounds denoting parts of the foot of a mollusc: as EPIPODIUM, MESOPODIUM, METAPODIUM, PROPODIUM.
3. Bot. A footstalk or other supporting part. (Chiefly in compounds.)
Lectern
1. A reading- or singing-desk in a church, esp. that from which the lessons are read; made of wood, metal, or stone, and often in the form of an eagle with outspread wings supported on a column.
2. Chiefly Sc. a. A reading-desk in a private house. b. A writing desk; an escritoire. to be bred, sent to the lattern: see quots. 1825-80, 1888.
{dag}c. (a) A music-stand; (b) see quot. 1612. Obs.
d. Sc. (in form lateran). The precentor's desk in a Scotch Presbyterian church.
