Main Entry: ¹ta·ble

Pronunciation: \ˈtā-bəl\

Function: noun

Usage: often attributive

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

Date: before 12th century

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>