¦ noun
1. a piece of furniture with a flat top and one or more legs, providing a level surface for eating, writing, or working at.
food provided in a restaurant or household.
2. a set of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns.
a league table.
(tables) multiplication tables.
3. Architecture a flat, typically rectangular, vertical surface.
a horizontal moulding, especially a cornice.
a slab bearing an inscription.
4. a flat surface of a gem.
a cut gem with two flat faces.
5. each half or quarter of a folding board for backgammon.
6. Bridge the dummy hand.
¦ verb
1. Brit. present formally for discussion or consideration at a meeting.
2. chiefly US postpone consideration of.
3. Sailing strengthen (a sail) by making a hem at the edge.
Phrases
lay something on the table
1. make something known so that it can be discussed.
2. chiefly US postpone something indefinitely.
on the table offered for discussion.
turn the tables turn a position of disadvantage relative to someone else into one of advantage.
under the table
1. informal very drunk.
2. another term for under the counter (see
counter1).
Derivatives
tableful noun (plural tablefuls).
Origin
OE tabule 'flat slab, inscribed tablet', from L. tabula 'plank, tablet, list', reinforced in ME by OFr. table.