from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]