n.
Pronunciation: ' t ā -b ə l
Function: noun
Usage: often attrib
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 >