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table definition

ta·ble (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
  2. 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
  3. tableland
  4. the flat upper surface of certain styles of faceted gems
  5. Anat. the hard inner or outer layer of the bony tissue of the skull
  6. 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
  7. 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 tabled -·bled, tabling -·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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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