Rota \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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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