pulpit

Etymology

From Latin pulpitum (“platform”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈpʊl.pɪt/, /ˈpʌl.pɪt/

• Audio (US)

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Noun

pulpit (plural pulpits)

1. A raised platform in a church, usually enclosed, where the minister or preacher stands when giving the sermon.
2. Activity performed from a church pulpit, in other words, preaching, sermons, religious teaching, the preaching profession, preachers collectively or an individual preaching position; by extension: bully pulpit.
3. A raised desk, lectern, or platform for an orator or public speaker.
4. (nautical) The railing at the bow of a boat, which sometimes extends past the deck. It is sometimes referred to as bow pulpit. The railing at the stern of the boat is sometimes referred to as a stern pulpit; other texts use the perhaps more appropriate term pushpit.
5. A bow platform for harpooning.
6. (Britain military slang, dated) A plane's cockpit.
   • 1941 March 24, Life, p. 85:

     In the slang of the Royal Air Force man, the cockpit of his plane is the ‘pulpit’ or ‘office’, the glass covering over it the ‘greenhouse’.

Etymology

From Latin pulpitum (“platform”).

Noun

pulpit m inan

1. desktop (the main graphical user interface of an operating system)