/ ˈteɪbl; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
FURNITURE
1.
a piece of furniture that consists of a flat top supported by legs :
a kitchen table
A table for two, please (= in a restaurant) .
I'd like to book a table for tonight (= in a restaurant) .
to set the table (= to put the plates, knives, etc. on it for a meal)
( BrE also)
to lay the table
to clear the table (= take away the dirty plates, etc. at the end of a meal)
He questioned her next morning over the breakfast table (= during breakfast) .
( BrE , formal )
Children must learn to behave at table .
a billiard / snooker / pool table
HELP NOTE : There are many compounds ending in table . You will find them at their place in the alphabet.
PEOPLE
2.
the people sitting at a table for a meal or to play cards, etc. :
He kept the whole table entertained with his jokes.
—see also round-table
LIST OF FACTS / NUMBERS
3.
a list of facts or numbers arranged in a special order, usually in rows and columns :
a table of contents (= a list of the main points or information in a book, usually at the front of the book)
Table 2 shows how prices and earnings have increased over the past 20 years.
—see also the periodic table
IN SPORT
4.
a list of sports teams, countries, schools, etc. that shows their position in a competition, etc. :
If Arsenal win this game they'll go to the top of the table.
school performance league tables
MATHEMATICS
5.
= multiplication table :
Do you know your six times table?
—see also turntable , water table
•
IDIOMS
- on the table
- turn the tables (on sb)
—more at card noun , drink verb , wait verb
■ verb [ vn ]
1.
( BrE ) to present sth formally for discussion :
They have tabled a motion for debate at the next Party Conference.
2.
( NAmE ) to leave an idea, a proposal, etc. to be discussed at a later date :
They voted to table the proposal until the following meeting.
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English tabule flat slab, inscribed tablet , from Latin tabula plank, tablet, list, reinforced in Middle English by Old French table .