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desk

 - 4 dictionary results

desk

[desk]
–noun
1. an article of furniture having a broad, usually level, writing surface, as well as drawers or compartments for papers, writing materials, etc.
2. a frame for supporting a book from which the service is read in a church.
3. a pulpit.
4. the section of a large organization, as a governmental bureau or newspaper, having authority over and responsibility for particular operations within the organization: city desk; foreign desk.
5. a table or counter, as in a library or office, at which a specific job is performed or a service offered: an information desk; reception desk.
6. a stand used to support sheet music; music stand.
7. (in an orchestra) a seat or position assigned by rank (usually used in combination): a first-desk flutist.
–adjective
8. of or pertaining to a writing desk: a desk drawer.
9. of a size or form suitable for use on a desk: desk dictionary.
10. done at or based on a desk, as in an office or schoolroom: He used to be a traveling salesman, but now he has a desk job.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME deske < ML desca, descus desk, lectern, prob. < a Romance-influenced form of L discus discus; cf. dais, dish, ML discus refectory table
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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desk   (děsk)   
n.  
  1. A piece of furniture typically having a flat or sloping top for writing and often drawers or compartments.

  2. A table, counter, or booth at which specified services or functions are performed: an information desk; a reception desk.

  3. A department of a large organization in charge of a specified operation: a newspaper's city desk.

  4. A lectern.

  5. A music stand in an orchestra.


[Middle English deske, from Medieval Latin desca, table, from Old Italian desco, from Latin discus, quoit; see disk.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

desk 
1363, from M.L. desca "table to write on" (c.1250), from L. discus "quoit, platter, dish," from Gk. diskos. The M.L. is perhaps via It. desco. Used figuratively of office or clerical work since 1797; desk job is first attested 1965. Desk-top (adj.) is from 1958; desk-top publishing first recorded 1984.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Encyclopedia

desk

a table, frame, or case with a sloping or horizontal top particularly designed to aid writing or reading, and often containing drawers, compartments, or pigeonholes.

Learn more about desk with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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