satellite dish

Dish Dish (d[i^]sh), n. [AS. disc, L. discus dish, disc, quoit, fr. Gr. di`skos quoit, fr. dikei^n to throw. Cf. {Dais}, {Desk}, {Disc}, {Discus}.] 1. A vessel, as a platter, a plate, a bowl, used for serving up food at the table. [1913 Webster]

She brought forth butter in a lordly dish. --Judg. v. 25. [1913 Webster]

2. The food served in a dish; hence, any particular kind of food, especially prepared food; as, a cold dish; a warm dish; a delicious dish. ``A dish fit for the gods.'' --Shak.

Home-home dishes that drive one from home. --Hood. [1913 Webster]

3. The state of being concave, or like a dish, or the degree of such concavity; as, the dish of a wheel. [1913 Webster]

4. A hollow place, as in a field. --Ogilvie. [1913 Webster]

5. (Mining) (a) A trough about 28 inches long, 4 deep, and 6 wide, in which ore is measured. (b) That portion of the produce of a mine which is paid to the land owner or proprietor. [1913 Webster]

6. anything with a discoid and concave shape, like that of a dish. [PJC]

7. an electronic device with a concave reflecting surface which focuses reflected radio waves to or from a point, used as a receiving or transmitting antenna; also called {dish antenna}. The dish is often shaped as a paraboloid so as to achieve a high sensitivity and enable reception of weak signals when used as a receiving antenna, or to focus transmitted signals into a narrow beam when used as a transmitting antenna.

Syn: dish aerial, dish antenna, saucer. [PJC]

8. a very attractive woman or young lady, especaially one sexually attractive; -- sometimes considered offensive and sexist; as, the departmental secretary is quite a dish. [slang]

Syn: smasher, stunner, knockout, beauty, sweetheart, peach, lulu, looker, mantrap, dish. [WordNet 1.5 + PJC]

9. a favorite activity, or an activity at which one excels. [slang]

Syn: cup of tea, bag. [WordNet 1.5 + PJC]

10. the quantity that a dish will hold, or a dish filled with some material.

Syn: dishful. [WordNet 1.5 + PJC]

{satellite dish} a dish antenna used to receive signals from or to transmit signals to a satellite which transmits or receives radio signals. In most common usage, it refers to small dish antennas used to receive television programs broadcast from geostationary satellites. [PJC]