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