a council-chamber or court of justice among the eastern nations, particularly the Turks.—The word is Arabic, and signifies the same with sofa in the Turkish dialect.

There are two sorts of divans; that of the grand signior, called the council of state, which consists of seven of the principal officers of the empire; and that of the grand vizir, composed of five other vizirs or counsellors of state, the chancellor, and secretaries of state, for the distribution of justice.

The word is also used for a hall in the private houses of the orientals. The custom of China does not allow the receiving of visits in the inner parts of the house, but only at the entry, in a divan contrived on purpose for ceremonies.

Travellers relate wonders of the silence and expedition of the divans of the East.