table

¹ta·ble

noun, often attributive \ˈtā-bəl\

Definition of TABLE

1

: tablet 1a

2

a plural : backgammon

b : one of the two leaves of a backgammon board or either half of a leaf

3

a : a piece of furniture consisting of a smooth flat slab fixed on legs

b (1) : a supply or source of food (2) : an act or instance of assembling to eat : meal <sit down to table>

c (1) : a group of people assembled at or as if at a table (2) : a legislative or negotiating session <the bargaining table>

4

: stringcourse

5

a : a systematic arrangement of data usually in rows and columns for ready reference

b : a condensed enumeration : list <a table of contents>

6

: something that resembles a table especially in having a plane surface: as

a : the upper flat surface of a cut precious stone — see brilliant illustration

b (1) : tableland (2) : a horizontal stratum

— on the table

: up for consideration or negotiation <the subject is not on the table>

— under the table

1

: into a stupor <can drink you under the table>

2

: in a covert manner <took money under the table>

Examples of TABLE

1. They were sitting at the dining table.
2. She reserved a table for two at the restaurant.
3. He had the attention of the entire table.
4. The table shows the salary of each employee.

Origin of TABLE

Middle English, from Old English tabule & Anglo-French table; both from Latin tabula board, tablet, list

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to TABLE

Synonyms

board

Related Words

coffee table, refectory table, tea table; bar, counter; buffet, sideboard, side table; bed table, card table

Near Antonyms

bane, poison, toxin, venom

Other Furniture and Woodworking Terms

appoint, credenza, mission, settee

Rhymes with TABLE

able, Babel, Bebel, cable, fable, Froebel, gable, label, sable, stable

²table

transitive verb

ta·bledta·bling \-b(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of TABLE

1

: to enter in a table

2

a British : to place on the agenda

b : to remove (as a parliamentary motion) from consideration indefinitely

c : to put on a table

Examples of TABLE

1. The committee tabled the issue until the next meeting.
2. She plans to table a motion for debate in Parliament.

First Known Use of TABLE

15th century

³table

adjective

Definition of TABLE

1

: suitable for a table or for use at a table <a table lamp>

2

: suitable for serving at a table <table grapes>

3

: proper for conduct at a table <table manners>

First Known Use of TABLE

1547

ta·ble

noun \ˈtā-bəl\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of TABLE

1

: a piece of furniture consisting of a smooth flat slab fixed on legs; especially : one used for examining or operating

2

: either of the two layers of compact bone of the skull which are separated by cancellous diploe

table

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Article of furniture used in the Western world since at least the 7th century BC, consisting of a flat slab of stone, metal, wood, or glass supported by trestles, legs, or a pillar. Though tables were used in ancient Egypt, Assyria, and Greece, only during the Middle Ages, with the growing formality of life under feudalism, did tables increasingly take on social significance. Tables with attached legs appeared in the 15th century. The draw top was invented in the 16th century, making it possible to double the table length. Increasing contact with the East in the 18th century led to increasing specialization in the design of occasional tables.