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reading desk

reading desk

3.5
A stand with a slanted top that holds a book at a good height for reading or giving a talk
  • noun
  • /ˈriːdɪŋ dɛsk/
translation icon : atril
  • She placed her favorite book on the reading desk to enjoy it comfortably.

Examples

  • The professor stood next to the reading desk while explaining the text to his students.

  • The master at his reading desk marked an epochal instruction, a philosophical melodrama of the grand interpreter altering the course of thought.

    Academic text (2000)
  • He adjusted the height of the reading desk so he could read more easily during his lecture.

Synonyms

lectern
vsreading desk
10 6.0

A tall stand with a tilted top for holding a book or notes when speaking

is lower and may be a desk as well as a stand for reading
bookstand
vsreading desk
2.2

A stand that holds a book open so people can read or see it

is larger and set at reading height for sitting or lecturing

How Portable

lapboard
5.8
bookstand
2.2
reading desk
3.5
lectern
10 6.0

Surface Forms

reading desk singular
reading desks plural

Morphology

reading + desk

The meaning 'a desk for holding books/texts for reading' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'reading' (material or the act of reading) with 'desk' (a piece of furniture). The attributive/gerund + noun composition is a common, regular pattern cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the MWE's purpose.

Etymology

Reading desk is a simple, literal name: it is a small stand or desk with a slanted top that holds a book so someone can read or give a talk without holding the pages. So, reading desk means 'a desk or stand that holds books at the right height and angle for reading or giving a talk'.