Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DESK, n. [D. disch, a table, a dish; Sax. disc; G. tisch; Dan. and Sw. disk; Russ. doska; L. discus; Gr. δισκος. See Dish.]

1. An inclining table for the use of writers and readers; usually made with a box or drawer underneath, and sometimes with a book-case above. – Pope.
2. The pulpit in a church, and figuratively, the clerical profession. The man appears well in the desk. He intends one son for the bar, and another for the desk.