pul·pit 
(plpĭt, pŭl-)
(plpĭt, pŭl-)n.
1. An elevated platform, lectern, or stand used in preaching or conducting a religious service.
2.
a. Clerics considered as a group.
b. The ministry of preaching.
3. An elevated metal guardrail extending around the bow or stern of a yacht or other small vessel.
4. An elevated platform, such as one used by harpooners in a whaling boat.
5. A bully pulpit.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin pulpitum, from Latin, wooden platform, theatrical stage, possibly back-formation from plural pulpita pulpita, platform, stage, perhaps (via Etruscan *pulputa or *pulpta), from Greek polupoda, neuter plural of polupous, trodden by many feet, having many feet (polu-, many + pous, foot); see POLYP.]