discus

[dis-kuh s]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR discus ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural dis·cus·es, dis·ci [dis-ahy] /ˈdɪs aɪ/.

a circular disk more than 7 inches (18 cm) in diameter and 2.2 pounds (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.

the sport of throwing this disk for distance.

Origin of discus

1650–60; < Latin < Greek dískos a quoit, discus, disk, derivative of diskeîn to throw

Can be confuseddiscus discuss

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for discus

plate, platter, disc, shell, dish, circle, sabot, discus, quoit, flan, saucer, discoid

Examples from the Web for discus

Contemporary Examples of discus

So far as I know, no one has ever done this to an Olympic discus thrower.
Why Americans Should Love the World Cup
Sean Wilsey
June 12, 2014
Jeremy Hunt has introduced a new sport to the Games, to go with the discus, shot put, javelin.
20 Reasons to Feel Good About the 2012 Olympics in London
The Telegraph
July 30, 2012

Historical Examples of discus

They were taught to box, to wrestle, to throw the discus, and to hurl the spear.
Introductory American History
Henry Eldridge Bourne
And we'll discus it in the presence of nobody, if ye, please.
The Skin Game (Fourth Series Plays)
John Galsworthy
Like throwing the discus, it calls for strength, speed and courage.
Camping
Alexandra G. Lockwine
Burly Drake cast the discus one hundred and thirty-four feet.
Bert Wilson, Marathon Winner
J. W. Duffield
The throwers of the discus and the hammer were naturally at some disadvantage.
Bert Wilson, Marathon Winner
J. W. Duffield

British Dictionary definitions for discus

discus

noun plural discuses or disci (ˈdɪskaɪ)

(originally) a circular stone or plate used in throwing competitions by the ancient Greeks

athletics

a similar disc-shaped object with a heavy middle thrown by athletes
(as modifier)a discus thrower

the discus the event or sport of throwing the discus

a South American cichlid fish, Symphysodon discus, that has a compressed coloured body and is a popular aquarium fish

Word Origin for discus

C17: from Latin, from Greek diskos from dikein to throw

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for discus

1650s, from Latin discus "discus, disk," from Greek diskos "disk, quoit, platter."

discus in Medicine

discus

[dĭs′kəs]

n. pl. dis•ci (dĭs′kī′, dĭs′ī′)

A flat circular surface; a disk.