Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Rota \Ro"ta\, n. [L. rota wheel. The name is said to allude to
   the design of the floor of the room in which the court used
   to sit, which was that of a wheel. See {Rotary}.]
   1. An ecclesiastical court of Rome, called also {Rota
      Romana}, that takes cognizance of suits by appeal. It
      consists of twelve members.

   2. (Eng. Hist.) 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.