n. 1. An elevated platform, lectern, or stand used in preaching or conducting a religious service. 2. a. Clerics considered as a group. b. The ministry of preaching. 3. An elevated metal guardrail extending around the bow or stern of a yacht or other small vessel. 4. An elevated platform, such as one used by harpooners in a whaling boat. 5. A bully pulpit. [Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin pulpitum, from Latin, wooden platform, theatrical stage, possibly back-formation from plural pulpita pulpita, platform, stage, perhaps (via Etruscan *pulputa or *pulpta), from Greek polupoda, neuter plural of polupous, trodden by many feet, having many feet (polu-, many + pous, foot); see POLYP.] |
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