discus

The word 'discus' is a direct borrowing from Latin, which itself was borrowed from the Ancient Greek word diskos. The Greek term derived from the verb dikein, meaning "to throw," reflecting the object's primary function. Originally referring to a flat, circular stone or metal object used in athletic games, its core meaning of a thrown, disk-shaped object has remained remarkably consistent from ancient Greek sport to the modern Olympic event. The Latin suffix -us simply marks it as a noun, preserving its classical form as it entered English.

Structure: disc (flat circular plate) + us (noun-forming suffix) disc is from Latin discus, meaning "quoit, disc, dish," from Greek diskos, "a circular plate for throwing." The suffix -us is a common Latin masculine noun ending.