dais

The story

1. Ancient Greek · derived fromδίσκος“discus, disc; tray”
2. Latin · derived fromdiscum
3. Old French · derived fromdeis
4. Anglo-Norman · derived fromdeis
5. Middle English · inherited fromdeis
6. English todaydais

From Middle English deis, from Anglo-Norman deis, from Old French deis, dois (modern French dais), from Latin discum, accusative singular of discus (“discus, disc, quoit; dish”) (Late Latin discum (“table”)), from Ancient Greek δίσκος (dískos, “discus, disc; tray”), from δικεῖν (dikeîn, “to cast, to throw; to strike”). Cognate with Italian desco, Occitan des. Doublet of desk, disc, discus, dish, disk, and diskos.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from c. 1800. A raised platform in a room for a high table, a seat of honour, a throne, or other dignified occupancy, such as ancestral statues; a similar platform supporting a lectern, pulpit, etc., which may be used to speak from.
• 13th–17th c. An elevated table in a hall at which important people were seated; a high table.