pulpit vs rostrum

pulpit

noun
  • A raised desk, lectern, or platform for an orator or public speaker. 

  • The railing at the bow of a boat, which sometimes extends past the deck. It is sometimes referred to as bow pulpit. The railing at the stern of the boat is sometimes referred to as a stern pulpit; other texts use the term pushpit. 

  • A raised platform in a church, usually enclosed, where the minister or preacher stands when giving the sermon. 

  • A bow platform for harpooning. 

  • Activity performed from a church pulpit, in other words, preaching, sermons, religious teaching, the preaching profession, preachers collectively or an individual preaching position; by extension: bully pulpit. 

rostrum

noun
  • A dais, pulpit, or similar platform for a speaker, conductor, or other performer. 

  • A platform for a film or television camera. 

  • The projecting prow of a rowed warship, such as a trireme. 

  • The beak-shaped projection on the head of insects such as weevils. 

  • The snout of a dolphin. 

  • The beak. 

  • The oral or nasal region of a human used for anatomical location (i.e. rostral) 

How often have the words pulpit and rostrum occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )