The word "desk" originated from the Modern Latin word desca "table to write on", from the mid 14th century.[6] It is a modification of the Old Italian desco "table", from Latin discus "dish" or "disc".[2] The word desk has been used figuratively since 1797.[6] A desk may also be known as a bureau, counter, davenport, escritoire, lectern, reading stand, rolltop desk, school desk, workspace, or writing desk.[7]