Etymology Map
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Desk

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a piece of furniture for writing or working

Where does the word "desk" come from? It comes from Latin discus, passing through Italian before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
discus
Latin · ancient
"disc, table"
from Greek 'diskos', a quoit or dish
2
Stage 2 of 3
desco
Italian · medieval
"table"
Italian for a table, from which Medieval Latin 'desca' was taken
3
Stage 3 of 3
desk
English · 1300s
"writing table"
'dish', 'dais' and 'disc' share the root
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Read the full story

Desk’s story begins in Latin: discus meant “disc, table.” From Greek 'diskos', a quoit or dish. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Italian as desco. Italian for a table, from which Medieval Latin 'desca' was taken. It reached English by 1300s as desk. 'dish', 'dais' and 'disc' share the root. Today, desk means a piece of furniture for writing or working.