DISCUS

discus, saucer

(noun) a disk used in throwing competitions

discus

(noun) an athletic competition in which a disk-shaped object is thrown as far as possible

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

discus (plural discuses)

A round plate-like object that is thrown for sport.

(uncountable) The athletics sport of discus throwing.

(plural: discus) A discus fish (genus Symphysodon)

(rare, dated) A chakram.

Usage notes

• Although an alternative Latinate plural disci is often cited, it is hardly ever used in practice.

Synonyms

• (round plate): quoit

Source: Wiktionary

Dis"cus, n.; pl. E. Discuses, L. Disci. Etym: [L. See Disk.]

1. (a) A quoit; a circular plate of some heavy material intended to be pitched or hurled as a trial of strength and skill. (b) The exercise with the discus.

Note: This among the Greeks was one of the chief gymnastic exercises and was included in the Pentathlon (the contest of the five exercises). The chief contest was that of throwing the discus to the greatest possible distance.

2. A disk. See Disk.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition