Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DISH, n. [Sax. disc, a dish, and dixas, dishes; L. discus; Gr. δισκος; Fr. disque; Arm. disg; W. disgyl; Sp. It. disco. It is the same word as disk and desk, and seems to signify something flat, plain or extended.]

1. A broad open vessel, made of various materials, used for serving up meat and various kinds of food at the table. It is sometimes used for a deep hollow vessel for liquors. – Addison. Milton.
2. The meat or provisions served in a dish. Hence, any particular kind of food. I have here a dish of doves. – Shak. We say, a dish of veal or venison; a cold dish; a warm dish; a delicious dish.
3. Among miners, a trough in which ore is measured, about 28 inches long, 4 deep, and 6 wide. – Encyc.