noun
divan
An official governing body in some Muslim regions.
The divan meets today to discuss taxes across the province.
Etymology
The Persian word names a register and the office associated with it. Its institutional sense extended to the council or governing body conducting official business.
More examples
- The sultan asks the divan for advice on the treaty.
- A clerk records the divan's decisions after each meeting.
- Regional divans handle disputes and oversee local government.
Forms
divan · divans