n. The beak or bill of a bird.n. The snout, muzzle, or sometimes the face of an animal, especially when protrusive.n. In anatomy and zoology, any beaked or rostrate part, or part likened to a beak.n. The beak of a ship: an ancient form of ram, consisting of a beam to which were attached heavy pointed irons, fixed to the bows, sometimes just above and sometimes below the water-line, and used for the purpose of sinking other vessels. See cut under rostral.n. plural A platform or elevated place in the Roman forum, whence orations, pleadings, funeral harangues, etc., were delivered: so called because it was adorned with the rostra or beaks of the ships taken in the first naval victory gained by the republic.n. Hence A pulpit or any platform or elevated spot from which a speaker addresses his audience. See cut under pulpit.n. In botany, an elongated receptacle with the styles adhering: also applied generally to any rigid process of remarkable length, or to any additional process at the end of any of the parts of a plant.n. A trestle used in supporting platforms in a theater.n. In an ancient lamp, the beak or projection in which the wick lies.n. In distilling, that part of the still which connects the head with the worm and forms a passage for vapor from the head to the worm; the beak.