In the “Definite Argument”[1] about Def, it is said that “Def means a circle on which the skin adheres and the loquacious play”.

In the Dr Moien's edition, it is stated “Def means “beat” in Arabic (entertainment instrument) which derived from Hebrew. Def is a Sumerian word which was “Doob” originally. In the Sumerian language, “Doob” means script and scroll”.

Hushang Javid, anthropologist and local music researcher, said “Dop, Bater, Doob, Dayere, and Taburak are the Iranian name for Def in different centuries”.

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[1] A dictionary which is written by Mohammed Khalaf-ibn Tabrizi AKA Borhan in Hidarabad, India. This book is written in 1818 in Kolkata which was edited later by Prof. Moein.