[ta.ble] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE tabule & OF table; both fr. L tabula board, tablet, list] (bef. 12c) 1: tablet 1a
2. a pl: 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 ~" c (1): a group of people assembled at or as if at a table (2): a legislative or negotiating session "the bargaining ~"
4: stringcourse
5. a: a systematic arrangement of data usu. in rows and columns for ready reference b: a condensed enumeration: list "a ~ of contents"
6: something that resembles a table esp. 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 "water ~" -- under the table 1: into a stupor "can drink you under the table"
2: in a covert manner "took money under the table"
[2]table vt ta.bled ; ta.bling (15c) 1: to enter in a table
2. a Brit: to place on the agenda b: to remove (as a parliamentary motion) from consideration indefinitely c: to put on a table [3]table adj (1547) 1: suitable for a table or for use at a table "a ~ lamp"
2: suitable for serving at a table "~ grapes"
3: proper for conduct at a table "~ manners"