discus
Meaning
A heavy, flat, circular object thrown in athletic competitions.
The athletic event of throwing a discus.
Structure
Usage
The athlete spun rapidly before releasing the discus.
She won a silver medal in the discus at the national championships.
Ancient Greek statues often depict figures holding a discus.
Etymology
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.
Analysis
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.