A council (typically of veziers of the Ottoman Empire) that discussed and recommended new laws and/or law changes to a higher authority (the sultan). The name reflects the fact that the veziers used to sit on a long traditional Turkish sofa while discussing the legal matters. No such legal entity exists in Republic of Turkey, which is the successor state of the Ottoman Empire
a long backless sofa (usually with pillows against a wall) a Muslim council chamber or law court a collection of Persian or Arabic poems (usually by one author) a Muslim council of state
Upholstered couch without arms or back Originated from the Turkish habit of piling rugs for reclining
Persian term initially designating the official registers,later the administrative offices of the state, and finally the sovereign's council of state There was a distinction between the Divan i-Am, or chamber for public audience with the prince which was part of the throne room, and the Divan i-Khas, or private audience room, used during courtly ceremonies