table

I. 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 II. transitive verb (tabled; tabling) Date: 15th century 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 III. adjective Date: 1547 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

>