Hypertext Webster Gateway: "divan"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Divan \Di*van"\, n. [Per. d[=i]w[=a]n a book of many leaves, an
account book, a collection of books, a senate, council: cf.
Ar. daiw[=a]n, F. divan.]
1. A book; esp., a collection of poems written by one author;
as, the divan of Hafiz. [Persia]
2. In Turkey and other Oriental countries: A council of
state; a royal court. Also used by the poets for a grand
deliberative council or assembly. --Pope.
3. A chief officer of state. [India]
4. A saloon or hall where a council is held, in Oriental
countries, the state reception room in places, and in the
houses of the richer citizens. Cushions on the floor or on
benches are ranged round the room.
5. A cushioned seat, or a large, low sofa or couch;
especially, one fixed to its place, and not movable.
6. A coffee and smoking saloon. [Colloq.]
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
divan
n 1: a long backless sofa (usually with pillows against a wall)
2: a Muslim council of state [syn: {diwan}]
3: a collection of Persian or Arabic poems (usually by one
author) [syn: {diwan}]
4: a Muslim council chamber or law court [syn: {diwan}]
Additional Hypertext Webster Gateway Lookup
Gateway by dict@stokkie.net
stock only wrote the gateway and does not have any control over the contents;
see the Webster Gateway FAQ,
and also the Back-end/database links and credits.