an ecclesiastical court of rome, called also rota romana, that takes cognizance of suits by appeal. it consists of twelve members.-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.-a species of zither, played like a guitar, used in the middle ages in church music; -- written also rotta.