\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.

\Ro"ta\, n. (Mus.)
A species of zither, played like a guitar, used in the Middle
Ages in church music; -- written also {rotta}.