Disque

Disque is a French noun meaning a flat, circular object. Etymology traces to Latin discus and it is cognate with the English disk or disc. The term is used across domains to denote round, flat items or components, from mathematical shapes to physical devices.

In geometry, a disque denotes a filled circular region, while the circumference is called le cercle. In physics and engineering, it can refer to solid discs and disc-shaped components, such as rotors or braking discs.

In technology and media, disques relate to data storage and optical media. Hard disk drives are called disques durs. Older portable magnetic storage were labeled disquettes (floppy disks). Optical media such as CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs are described as disques optiques. Mechanical systems employ disque de frein (brake discs) as rotating components.

In music and everyday language, un disque commonly means a vinyl record, and by extension a music recording. The word persists in French to refer to physical music media, including vinyl records and, historically, compact discs.

In astronomy, the term designates flattened, rotating structures such as the galactic disk or protoplanetary disks around young stars, which are sites of planet formation. The concept also appears in other sciences to describe round, flat elements.

See also: disk, disc; vinyl record; hard disk drive; optical disc.