Lancashireman Jul 18, 2017:

lectern vs. book stand Google Images is often a good way of resolving this. A book stand is generally used for display purposes (at a book fair, a Book of Condolence etc), whereas a lectern is used by someone reading from notes or from a heavy tome, e.g. the Bible.

Wendy Streitparth Jul 18, 2017:

Just to add to the debate:

The definition of a pulpit on dictionary.com is this:

1. a platform or raised structure in a church, from which the sermon is delivered or the service is conducted.

Over the years, pulpits (also called lecterns, rostrums and podiums) have changed in both there use and design.

https://www.procson.co.uk/lectern-vs-pulpit

Emma Rault (X) (asker) Jul 17, 2017:

lectern vs. book stand--my thoughts exactly Yep, my thoughts exactly re: avoiding "lectern". But support works well. Thanks for youri input!

Gordon Matthews Jul 17, 2017:

support for the book stand Thank you, Emma, for the link to another picture, which makes it clearer what we are talking about. I think you're right to refer to a "book stand" which is part of the pulpit and to avoid use of the term "lecturn", which in churches is where the lessons from the Bible are read, whereas the pulpit is where the pastor preaches from. So I would simply refer to a "support for the book stand". The whole sentence would then read something like this: "In addition, a brass casing about 35mm in length was mounted underneath the mussel-shaped support for the book stand."

Herbmione Granger Jul 16, 2017:

muschelförmig I don't think that they are talking about the whole support/stay but rather the piece connecting the support to the lectern. Upper part of stay in Emma's 2nd link http://www.ref-kirchen-ag.ch/kirchen/birr/bilder/Kirche_Birr... looks like a hinge.

franglish Jul 16, 2017:

probably as simple as 'connecting piece'

Emma Rault (X) (asker) Jul 16, 2017:

a slightly clearer example: http://www.ref-kirchen-ag.ch/kirchen/birr/bilder/Kirche_Birr...