View synonyms for divan

divan

[ dih-van, -vahn dahy-van ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a sofa or couch, usually without arms or back, often usable as a bed.
a long, cushioned seat, usually without arms or back, placed against a wall, as in Asian countries.
a council of state in Turkey and other countries of the Middle East.
any council, committee, or commission.
(in the Middle East)
1. a council chamber, judgment hall, audience chamber, or bureau of state.
2. a large building used for some official or public purpose, as a custom house.
a smoking room, as in connection with a tobacco shop.
a collection of poems, especially a collection in Arabic or Persian of poems by one poet.

divan

[ dih-van ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

(especially of chicken or turkey breast) sliced and baked in a casserole with broccoli and hollandaise sauce.

divan

/ dɪˈvæn /

noun

1. a backless sofa or couch, designed to be set against a wall
2. a bed resembling such a couch
(esp formerly) a room for smoking and drinking, as in a coffee shop
1. a Muslim law court, council chamber, or counting house
2. a Muslim council of state
a collection of poems
(in Muslim law) an account book

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of divan¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Ottoman Turkish dīvān “state council,” from Arabic dīwān, from Persian dīwān, originally dēvan “booklet” (whence “account book, archive, office, council, bench”)

Origin of divan²

First recorded in 1935–40; named after its place of origin, the Divan Parisienne Restaurant, in the Chatham Hotel, Manhattan, New York; divine

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of divan¹

C16: from Turkish dīvān, from Persian dīwān

Browse