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discus

 - 6 dictionary results

dis⋅cus

[dis-kuhs]
–noun, plural dis⋅cus⋅es, dis⋅ci [dis-ahy] .
1. a circular disk more than 7 in. (18 cm) in diameter and 2.2 lb. (1 kg) in weight, usually wooden with a metal rim and thicker in the center than at the edge, for throwing for distance in athletic competition.
2. the sport of throwing this disk for distance.

Origin:
1650–60; < L < Gk dískos a quoit, discus, disk, deriv. of diskeîn to throw
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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dis·cus   (dĭs'kəs)   
n.   pl. dis·cus·es
  1. Sports

    1. A disk, typically wooden or plastic with a metal rim, that is thrown for distance in athletic competitions.

    2. A track-and-field event in which a discus is thrown.

  2. A small, brilliantly colored South American freshwater fish (Symphysodon discus) that has a disk-shaped body and is popular in home aquariums.

  3. Something resembling a flat circular plate; a disk.

  4. Botany See disk.


[Latin; see disk.]
disk also disc   (dĭsk)   
n.  
  1. A thin, flat, circular object or plate.

  2. Something resembling such an object: The moon's disk was reflected in the pond.

    1. The disk used in a disc brake.

    2. A disk used on a disk harrow.

    3. A magnetic disk, such as a floppy disk or hard disk.

    4. The data stored on such a disk: read the disk that came with the manual.

  3. A round, flattened, platelike structure in an animal, such as an intervertebral disk.

  4. Botany The enlarged area bearing numerous tiny flowers, as in the flower head of composite plants, such as the daisy. Also called discus.

  5. Computer Science

    1. A magnetic disk, such as a floppy disk or hard disk.

    2. The data stored on such a disk: read the disk that came with the manual.

  6. An optical disk, especially a compact disk. See Usage Note at compact disk.

  7. A phonograph record.

  8. A circular grid in a phototypesetting machine.

tr.v.   disked also disced, disk·ing also disc·ing, disks also discs
  1. To work (soil) with a disk harrow.

  2. To make (a recording) on a phonograph record.


[Latin discus, quoit, from Greek diskos, from dikein, to throw; see deik- in Indo-European roots.]
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

discus 
1656, from L. discus "discus, disk," from Gk. diskos "disk, quoit, platter."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: dis·cus
Pronunciation: 'dis-k&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural dis·ci /-"kI, -kE/
: anyof various rounded and flattened anatomical structures
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

discus dis·cus (dĭs'kəs)
n. pl. dis·ci (dĭs'kī', dĭs'ī')
A flat circular surface; a disk.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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