table

ta·ble / ˈtābəl/ • n. 1. a piece of furniture with a flat top and one or more legs, providing a level surface on which objects may be placed, and that can be used for such purposes as eating, writing, working, or playing games. ∎  [in sing.] food provided in a restaurant or household: he was reputed to have the finest French table of the time. ∎  a group seated at a table for a meal: the whole table was in gales of laughter. ∎  (the table) a meeting place for formal discussions held to settle an issue or dispute: the negotiating table. ∎  [in sing.] Bridge the dummy hand (which is exposed on the table): they made the hand easily with the aid of a club ruff on the table. 2. a set of facts or figures systematically displayed, esp. in columns: the population has grown, as shown in table 1 a table of contents. ∎  Comput. a collection of data stored in memory as a series of records, each defined by a unique key stored with it. 3. a flat surface, in particular: ∎  Archit. a flat, typically rectangular, vertical surface. ∎  a horizontal molding, esp. a cornice. ∎  a slab of wood or stone bearing an inscription. ∎  a flat surface of a gem. ∎  a cut gem with two flat faces. ∎  each half or quarter of a folding board for backgammon. • v. [tr.] 1. postpone consideration of: I'd like the issue to be tabled for the next few months. 2. Brit. present formally for discussion or consideration at a meeting: an MP tabled an amendment to the bill. PHRASES: at table seated at a table eating a meal. lay something on the table 1. make something known so that it can be freely and sensibly discussed. 2. postpone something indefinitely. on the table offered for discussion: our offer remains on the table. turn the tables reverse one's position relative to someone else, esp. by turning a position of disadvantage into one of advantage: police invited householders to a seminar on how to turn the tables on burglars. under the table 1. inf. very drunk: by 3:30 everybody was under the table. 2. (esp. of making a payment) secretly or covertly: he accepted a slew of payoffs under the table. ∎ another term for under the counter (see counter¹ ). DERIVATIVES: ta·ble·ful / -ˌfoŏl/ n. (pl. -fuls) .