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reading desk

reading desk

1 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/
: 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
9 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
1 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
1 5.8
bookstand
1 2.2
reading desk
1 3.5
lectern
9 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'.