Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DI-VAN', n. [Ar. Pers. دِبَوان diwan. The Arabic verb دَانَ dauna is rendered, to be low, mean, vile, contemptible, (qu. down,) and also, to write on a white table. Hence divan is a register or table of names or accounts, and hence it came to signify a court or council assembled, as we use board and exchequer.]

1. Among the Turks and other Orientals, a court of justice, or a council.
2. A council-chamber; a hall; a court.
3. Any council assembled. – Pope. Milton.