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table Definition

ta·ble (tā′bəl)

noun

  1. Obsolete a thin, flat tablet or slab of metal, stone, or wood, used for inscriptions
    1. a piece of furniture consisting of a flat, horizontal top usually set on legs
    2. such a table set with food for a meal
    3. food served at table; feasting as entertainment
    4. the people seated at a table to eat, talk, etc.
    5. a meeting at which issues are discussed, negotiations are conducted, etc. they brought fresh offers to the table
  3. any of various large, flat-topped pieces of furniture or equipment used for games, as a working surface, etc. pool table, examining table
    1. a compact, systematic list of details, contents, etc.
    2. a compact arrangement of related facts, figures, values, etc. in orderly sequence, and usually in rows and columns, for convenience of reference the multiplication table
  5. tableland
  6. the flat upper surface of certain styles of faceted gems
  7. Anat. the hard inner or outer layer of the bony tissue of the skull
  8. Archit.
    1. any horizontal, projecting piece, as a molding or cornice; stringcourse
    2. a plain or decorated rectangular piece set into or raised on a wall; panel
  9. Backgammon either of the two folding leaves of a backgammon board

Etymology: OFr < L tabula, a board, painting, tablet < ? IE *taldhla < base *tel-, flat, a board > OE thille, thin board, flooring

adjective

  1. of, for, or on a table
  2. fit for serving at table table salt

transitive verb -·bled, -·bling

  1. Obsolete to make a list or compact arrangement of; tabulate
  2. to put on a table
  3. ☆ to postpone indefinitely the discussion or consideration of (a legislative bill, motion, etc.)
  4. Brit. to submit for discussion or consideration

table Idioms

at table

at a meal

on the table

☆ postponed or shelved: said of a bill, etc.

the tables

laws, as the Ten Commandments or ancient Roman codes, inscribed on flat stone slabs

turn the tables

to reverse completely a situation as it affects two opposing persons or groups

under the table

Informal
  1. covertly, as a bribe
  2. drunk to the point of unconsciousness
table Synonyms

table

n.

  1. A piece of furniture

    desk, pulpit, stand, board, counter, slab, dresser, bureau, lectern, sideboard, washstand, sink, horse, tea wagon, trivet; see also furniture.

    Types of tables include: writing table, secretary, dining table, kitchen table, card table, drafting table, vanity table, operating table, altar table, retable, end table, coffee table, tea table, drop-leaf table, laboratory table, library table, refectory table.

  2. A statement in tabulated form

    schedule, digest, synopsis, report, record, chart, register, spreadsheet, compendium, index, appendix, table of contents, tabular illustration, statistics; see also summary.

  3. Food

    meat and drink, things to eat, spread; see food, meal 2.

turn the tables*

reverse, alter, switch; see change 1.

under the table*

  1. covertly, surreptitiously, not obviously; see secretly.

  2. into a stupor, dead-drunk, out cold; see drunk.

table Synonyms

table

v.

postpone, defer, put off; see delay 1.

table Usage Examples

Object

  • amendment: By tabling the amendments, we sought to achieve greater clarity in the Bill.

Converse of object

  • dine: The Dining Area has the benefit of patio doors overlooking the rear garden, dining table with 4 chairs.
  • dress: There is color television and radio, dressing table and storage space, chairs and bedside tables with lamps.
  • follow: The following table may help you to find what you're looking for.

Adjective modifier

  • periodic: INTRODUCTION The chemistry of group VII is dominated by the high effective nuclear charge on the right of the periodic table.
  • wooden: The pub is quite dark and cozy, with old wooden tables.
  • folding: A folding table and chairs can be used for meals in the kitchen, or outdoors.

Modifies a noun

  • tennis: Table tennis Information about local table tennis clubs can be found in our Sports Directory.
  • lamp: Also we have candlestick designs based on those of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and a classic table lamp based on a Pugin design.
  • decoration: The Quality Hotel will have a room set up for a wedding breakfast, ie chair covers, balloons, table decorations.
  • d'hote: Guests can choose either the set Christmas party menu or with prior arrangement choose from a festive table d'hote menu.
  • linen: We are also delighted to recommend Jones Hire for fabric table linen and chair covers.
  • football: The Bulldog table football range can be bought online via our secure website or over the phone.

Noun used with modifier

  • league: For details of York's performance in several recent league tables, click on the links below.
  • dining: There is a large kitchen area with a dining table.
  • coffee: Big on Maui October 1, 1998 8 out of 8 found this review helpful JAWS sits on every coffee table on this island.
  • bedside: There is color television and radio, dressing table and storage space, chairs and bedside tables with lamps.
  • picnic: An Outside picnic table is also provided on the sundeck.
  • pool: The pool tables at the elbow rooms are just the ticket, and they're free too.

Preposition: of

  • content: The service e-mails you the tables of contents of the latest issues of journals you have chosen from a list of 20,000 titles.
table Quotes

A child should always say what's true, And speak when he is spoken to, And behave mannerly at table: At least as far as he is able.

—Stevenson, Robert Louis

The white saucer like some full moon descends At last from the clouds of the table above.

—Monro, Harold Edward

The Admiral said,'You could never callö I assure you it would not do at all! She gets down from the table without saying 'please', Forgets her prayers and to cross herT's, In short, her scandalous reputation Has shocked the whole of the Hellish nation'.

—Sitwell, Dame Edith Louisa

On the Continent people have good food; in England people have good table manners.

—Mikes, George

Miss Bolo rose from thetable considerablyagitated, and went straight home, ina flood of tears, and a sedan chair.

—Dickens, CharlesJohn Huffam

Let us go then, you and I, When the evening is spread out against the sky Like a patient etherized upon a table.

—Eliot,T(homas) S(tearns)

   The L ismy shepherd; Ishall not want.He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.Yea, though I walk through the valleyof theshadow of death,I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the L for ever.

—Bible (Old Testament)

I reside at Table Mountain, and my name isTruthful James; I am not up to small deceit or any sinful games.

—Harte, (Francis) Bret

Tomorrow I'll sit at the table When company comes Nobody'll dare Say to me, 'Eat in the kitchen' Then.

—Hughes, (James Mercer) Langston

A group of senators, bleary eyed for lack of sleep, will have to sit down at about two o'clock in the morning around a table in a smoke-filled room in some hotel, and decide the nomination.

—Daugherty, Harry Micajah

I remember a table in BarchesterTowers that had more character than the combined heroes of three recent novels I've read.

—Broyard, Anatole

I have a dream that one day†the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit together at the table of brotherhood.

—King, Martin LutherJr

   We do not presume to come to this thyTable,O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies.We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thyTable.But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy: Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

—Book of Common Prayer

Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me: thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full.

—Book of Common Prayer

I am not interested in picking up crumbs of compassion thrown from the table of someone who considers himself to be my master. I want the full menu of rights.

—Tutu, Desmond Mpilo