1 a piece of furniture or a portable box with a flat or sloped surface for writing on, and often drawers.
2 a counter in a hotel, bank, etc., which separates the customer from the assistant.
3 a section of a newspaper office etc. dealing with a specified topic (the sports desk; the features desk).
4 Mus. a music stand in an orchestra regarded as a unit of two players.
Phrases and idioms:
desk-bound obliged to remain working at a desk.
Etymology: ME f. med.L desca f. L DISCUS disc
Useful english dictionary. 2012.