Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Dais"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Dais \Da"is\ (d[=a]"[i^]s), n. [OE. deis, des, table, dais, OF.
deis table, F. dais a canopy, L. discus a quoit, a dish (from
the shape), LL., table, fr. Gr. ? a quoit, a dish. See
{Dish}.]
1. The high or principal table, at the end of a hall, at
which the chief guests were seated; also, the chief seat
at the high table. [Obs.]
2. A platform slightly raised above the floor of a hall or
large room, giving distinction to the table and seats
placed upon it for the chief guests.
3. A canopy over the seat of a person of dignity. [Obs.]
--Shiply.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
dais
n : a platform raised above the surrounding level to give
prominence to the person on it [syn: {podium}, {pulpit},
{rostrum}, {ambo}, {stump}, {soapbox}]
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