GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   ‖Rota , n. [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.]
   An ecclesiastical court of Rome, called also Rota Romana, that takes cognizance of suits by appeal. It consists of twelve members.
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   (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.
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2.       
   Rota , n. (Mus.) A species of zither, played like a guitar, used in the Middle Ages in church music; -- written also rotta.
   1913 Webster