divan

Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

/dɪˈvæn/ or /ˈdaɪvæn/

Definitions

• A long, low sofa without arms or back, typically placed against a wall.
• An official council or governing body in some Islamic countries.
• A collection of poems, especially by a Persian or Arabic poet.

Usage Examples

• They lounged on the divan in the sitting room.
• The sultan consulted with his divan before making a decision.
• The poet's divan was celebrated across the region.

Etymology

From Turkish *divan*, from Persian *dīwān*, meaning "council, book of accounts, collection of poems."

Synonyms

• Sofa
• Couch
• Settee
• Poetry Collection
• Council

Antonyms

• Chair
• Bench

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• British English: /dɪˈvæn/
• American English: /ˈdaɪvæn/
• Indian English: /dɪˈvaːn/

Historical Usage

The term originally referred to a council or chamber where state affairs were discussed during the Ottoman Empire, later adopted for the piece of furniture often found in such rooms.

Cultural Nuances

In Middle Eastern cultures, the divan was a common piece of furniture for social gatherings and political discussions.

More Information

Divans were often used in traditional Turkish and Persian households. The term was later adopted in Western societies to refer to a type of upholstered sofa or bed.