disc
Pronunciation: /dɪsk/
(US also disk)
noun
- 1a flat, thin circular object: coins were made by striking a blank disc of metal a man’s body with an identity disc around the neck
- (disk) an information storage device for a computer in the shape of a round flat plate which can be rotated to give access to all parts of the surface. The data may be stored either magnetically (in a magnetic disk) or optically (in an optical disk such as a CD-ROM).
- a CD or record.
- (discs) one of the suits in some tarot packs, corresponding to coins in others.
- 2an object or part resembling a disc in shape or appearance: the smudged yellow disc of the moon
- (also intervertebral disc) a layer of cartilage separating adjacent vertebrae in the spine: he suffered a prolapsed disc
- Botany the central part of the flower of a daisy or other composite plant, consisting of a close-packed cluster of tubular florets.
Origin:
mid 17th century (originally referring to the seemingly flat circular form of the sun or moon): from French disque or Latin discus (see discus)
Generally speaking, the British spelling is disc and the US spelling is disk, although there is much overlap and variation between the two. In particular, the spelling for senses relating to computers is nearly always disk, as in floppy disk, disk drive, and so on.