table
table
Pronunciation
/teɪ/ - The "ta" sound, similar to "tay"
/bl/ - The "ble" sound, a syllabic /l/ following the /b/
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: table
Plural: tables
Verb:
Base form: table
Third-person singular present: tables
Present participle: tabling
Past tense: tabled
Past participle: tabled
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition: A piece of furniture consisting of a flat top surface supported by one or more legs, used for holding items, working, eating, or other activities.
Synonyms: counter, desk, stand, bench
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it's a specific object)
Definition: A systematic arrangement of data or information, typically in rows and columns, for easy reference and analysis.
Synonyms: chart, graph, diagram, matrix, list, register
Antonyms: jumble, disorganization, chaos
Definition: (In parliamentary procedure) A motion to postpone consideration of a bill or motion indefinitely, effectively killing it.
Synonyms: postpone, shelve, defer, put off
Antonyms: introduce, address, consider, bring up
Verb
Definition: To postpone or defer consideration of a proposal, motion, or topic, especially in a formal meeting or legislative setting. (Commonly used in British English to mean "to present for discussion," and in American English to mean "to postpone.")
Synonyms (American English usage): postpone, defer, shelve, put off, suspend
Antonyms (American English usage): discuss, consider, address, bring up, introduce
Definition: To place something on a table or flat surface.
Synonyms: set down, place, lay, put
Antonyms: remove, pick up, lift, take off
Examples of Use
Books:
"He sat at the kitchen table, nursing a mug of tea, and stared out at the rain-swept garden." (From "The Midnight Library" by Matt Haig)
"The data was presented in a detailed table, making it easier to compare the various growth metrics over time." (From "Factfulness" by Hans Rosling)
Newspapers:
"The city council voted last night to table the controversial rezoning proposal until further public input could be gathered." (From The New York Times)
"Local restaurants are struggling to keep enough waitstaff on their tables as the summer tourism season ramps up." (From The Guardian)
Online Publications:
"Amazon's new earnings report includes a table breaking down revenue by product category, showing significant growth in cloud services." (From TechCrunch)
"Experts are urging policymakers to bring more pressing climate issues to the table for serious discussion at the upcoming summit." (From National Geographic Online)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television Series: In an episode of "Succession," Logan Roy famously barks, "Bring the numbers to the table!" demanding a financial report. (HBO)
Film: A tense scene in "Pulp Fiction" involves characters discussing their plans around a diner table. (Miramax Films)
Video Game: In "The Sims 4," players can purchase and place various types of tables for dining, crafting, or decoration. (Electronic Arts)
Music Lyrics: From the song "Coffee Shop" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, "She was sitting at the table next to me." (Warner Bros. Records, September 1995)
General Public Discourse:
"Let's put all our ideas on the table and see what we come up with for the charity event." (Heard in a community meeting)
"Can you help me clear the table after dinner?" (Common household request, ongoing)
"The company needs to get some fresh talent around the table if they want to innovate." (Discussed in a business podcast)
"We have a lot on our table right now, so we need to prioritize." (Common phrase used to describe being busy, ongoing)
10 Quotes Using Table
"Leave nothing on the table." (Frank Underwood, House of Cards, February 2013)
"Where there is no wine, there is no love." (Euripides, often attributed with the context of a feast table)
"Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else." (Judy Garland, often used in the context of bringing one's authentic self to the table)
"If you don't come to the table with something, you'll be on the menu." (From the film The Godfather Part III, December 1990)
"I have been at your table when the food was gone, and the wine was gone, and the laughter gone, and the talk gone. I have been at your table when nothing was left but the crumbs." (Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, August 1969)
"You can't get too much of a good thing." (Often attributed to Mae West, frequently said in contexts involving a laden table or abundant pleasures)
"Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused." (Often attributed to an anonymous source, but the sentiment is one that allows for open and lighthearted conversation at a table)
"My advice to you is to get married: if you find a good wife you'll be happy; if not, you'll become a philosopher." (Socrates, a line often quoted in discussions around life choices and domestic arrangements at a theoretical "life's table")
"The way to a man's heart is through his stomach." (Often attributed to common wisdom or proverbial sayings, relating to food prepared and served at a table)
"If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants." (Isaac Newton, a quote about intellectual progress that implies building upon the work already "on the table" from previous thinkers)
Etymology
The word "table" has a fascinating journey through time!
It comes from the Latin word "tabula," which originally meant something like "a board," "a plank," or "a flat piece." Think of it as a flat slab of material.
In Old English, we had a word called "tabele" which was borrowed from this Latin "tabula." This "tabele" referred to flat surfaces like writing tablets (slabs for writing on) or even boards used for games. The word "bord" was actually more commonly used in Old English for what we now call a piece of furniture for eating on.
However, the modern spelling and the main meaning of "table" as a piece of furniture really took off due to the influence of Old French. The French word "table" also came from that same Latin "tabula," but it was used more broadly to mean a "board," "panel," or "flat top piece," including a piece of furniture.
So, in short, "table" started as a simple "flat board" in Latin, made its way into Old English with similar meanings (especially for writing or games), and then its sense of being a piece of furniture became dominant through the influence of French, which itself had roots in the same Latin word. The idea of "food placed on a table" also developed around the 14th century, as it was what was served on the furniture.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Table
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "table":
At the table: Involved in a discussion or negotiation.
Bring to the table: To offer a contribution, skill, or idea to a discussion or situation.
On the table: Available for discussion, consideration, or negotiation.
Table a motion: (American English) To postpone or defer discussion of a proposal. (British English) To formally present a proposal for discussion.
Turn the tables: To reverse a situation, especially so that one person gains an advantage over another.
Under the table: Done secretly, often illegally or illicitly, especially involving money.
Clear the table: To remove dishes and other items from a dining table after a meal.
Set the table: To arrange plates, cutlery, and glasses on a dining table before a meal.
Put it on the table: To openly and honestly present something for consideration.
Roundtable discussion: A meeting or discussion among several participants, often experts, where everyone has an equal opportunity to contribute.
Keep a clean table: To maintain honesty and transparency in dealings.
Table scraps: Small pieces of food left over after a meal, often given to pets.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of table from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
