Forms: 1 tabule, tabula, 3 tabele, 5 tabel, -yl(e, -ule, 5–6 -ell(e, -il, -ill(e, -ull(e, -yll(e, 6 -ul; 2– table. [In OE. tabule wk. fem. (already a. 900), later also tabele, ad. L. tabula. In ME. table (a. 1200), a. F. table (11th c.), ad. L. tabula a flat board, a plank, a board to play on, a writing tablet, a written tablet, a writing, a list, an account, a painted tablet, a painting, a votive tablet, a flat piece of ground, prob. from same root as taberna TAVERN.
L. tabula became by ordinary phonetic progression in Romanic, tavola (as in It.), *tav’la, taula (in Pr.), tavle, taule (in OF.), tôle (F. = sheet of metal); but in most of the langs. these phonetic forms were superseded by others assimilated to the L., as F. table, Sp. tabla, Pg. taboa. The word entered Teutonic at different stages; app. bef. 400 in WGer. as *taðal, repr. by OHG. zabal, ON. tafl, board for a game, and OE. tæfl, tæfel die, tablet, ME. TAVEL, q.v.; also later, influenced by L., OHG. tavala, -ela (MHG. tavel(e, MLG., MDu. tāfele, tāvele, Ger., Du. tafel, Da. tavle, Sw. tafel) table; OE. beside tabule had tabul masc. and tablu fem.]
I. Ordinary senses. *A flat slab or board.
1. A flat and comparatively thin piece of wood, stone, metal, or other solid material (usually shaped by art); a board, plate, slab, or tablet; as a slab forming the top of an altar, or part of a pavement, etc., or a tablet used for ornament or other purpose; also applied to natural formations, as the laminæ of a slaty rock. Obs. exc. in special applications: see also senses 2–4.
a. 900. trans. Bæda’s Hist. V. xi. § 2 (Camb. MS.; see ed. Miller, pp. 416, 523). Hæfdon hi mid him ȝehealȝode fato and ȝehalȝode tabulan [MS. B. ȝehalȝode tablu, O. ȝehalȝodne tabul] on wiȝbedes wrixle [L. tabulam altaris vice].
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., A. 1003. Þe calsydoyne … In þe þryd table con purly pale.
c. 1440. Alphabet of Tales, 39. He layed hym downe before þe ya[tt], & knokkid with his tables as lepre men duse.
1447. Bokenham, Seyntys (Roxb.), 35. In tablys of marbyl coryously wroul.
1507. Acc. Ld. High Treas. Scot., III. 253. Item, for ane tabil of gold to the Kingis bonet.
1530. Palsgr., 278/2. Table for an auter, table dautel.
1585. T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., II. xx. 57. The inner part of the temple is altogether plastered and couered with great tables of Porphyre.
1672. Josselyn, New Eng. Rarities, 100. A fair Table curiously made up with Beads likewise, to wear before their Breast.
1687. A. Lovell, trans. Thevenot’s Trav., II. 75. I observed by the ways side several Rocks of black Stone … which were all divided into Tables, hardly thicker than blew Slates,… but joyned very close together.
1730. W. Warren, Collect., in Willis & Clark, Cambridge (1886), I. 225. A Marble Table for ye Side-board on a Mohogany Stand.
1849. Ruskin, Sev. Lamps, iii. § 17. 83. The dark, flat, solid tables of leafage.
1889. Philos. Mag., May, 409. Strata which … lie in their original horizontal position. These parts are called ‘tables’ by Suess.
† b. A board or plank (in quots., a plank used as a raft after shipwreck); hence fig. Obs.
1390. Gower, Conf., III. 296. He … broghte him sauf upon a table, which to the lond him hath upbore.
c. 1440. Gesta Rom., lxv. 293 (Harl. MS.). Þerfor seiyth Ierome, Penitencia est secunda fabula post naufragium, Penaunce is the secunde table after naufragie.
a. 1533. Ld. Berners, Huon, lvii. 194. We saued vs on a table of wode.
1617. Janua Ling., 6. Contrition of heart is a second table after shipwracke.
2. spec. a. A tablet bearing or intended for an inscription or device: as the stone tablets on which the ten commandments were inscribed, a memorial tablet fixed in a wall, a votive tablet, a notice-board, etc. arch.
c. 1050. Byrhtferth’s Handboc, in Anglia, VIII. 327. Pæra ȝeara ȝetæl hæfð seo tabule þe we mearkian willað.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 11. Efter þan drihten him bi-tahte twa stanene tables breode on hwulche godalmihti heofde iwriten þa ten laȝe.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 3535. And gaf to tabeles of ston, And .x. bodeword writen ðor-on.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 6541. Þe tables þat in hand he [Moses] bare To pees he þam brak right þar.
c. 1400. Maundev. (1839), ii. 10. The table abouen his heued … on the whiche the tytle was writen, in Ebreu, Greu, and Latyn.
1543. N. Heath, Injunctions, in Frere, Use of Sarum, II. 236. Certain prayers … conteyned in Tabylles sett in the grammer scole.
1641. Evelyn, Mem., 4 Oct. Divers votive tables and relics.
1720. Ozell, Vertot’s Rom. Rep., I. VI. 311. The last Laws of the Decemvirs engraved upon Tables of Brass.
1849. G. P. R. James, Woodman, viii. As stern as the statue of Moses breaking the tables.
† b. A small portable tablet for writing upon, esp. for notes or memoranda; a writing-tablet. Often in phr. a pair (of) tables. Obs.
Rased table = tabula rasa: see TABULA 1 b.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 11087. Þam asked þan sir zachari Tables and a pontel tite.
1382. Wyclif, 1 Macc. xiv. 17. Thei wryten to hym in brasen tablis.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), VI. 257. Charles … bare a peyre of tables for to write ynne.
1451. Capgrave, Life St. Aug., 25. He took a peyre tables, and wroot in þe wax al his desir.
1555. Eden, Decades, 51. Rased or vnpaynted tables are apte to receaue what formes soo euer are fyrst drawen theron.
a. 1592. Greene, Jas. IV., Wks. (Rtldg.), 193. Draw your tables, and write what wise I speak.
1614. B. Jonson, Barth. Fair, IV. iii. I saw one of you buy a paire of tables, e’en now.
1656. Stanley, Hist. Philos., v. (1701), 184/1. These things are imprinted and form’d in her as in a Table.
c. fig. (from a or b). Obs. or arch.
1382. Wyclif, 2 Cor. iii. 3. Writun … not in stoony tablis, but in fleischly tablis of herte.
1599. Davies, Immort. Soul, cccxxxv. All these true notes of Immortalitie In our Hearts Tables we shall written find.
1602. Ld. Mountjoy, Lett., 25 Feb., in Moryson, Itin., II. (1617), 268. I should … sooner and more easily haue made this Countrey a rased table, wherein shee might haue written her owne lawes.
1693. Bentley, Serm. (J.). The mighty volumes of visible nature, and the everlasting tables of right reason.
d. Anc. Hist. (a) pl. The tablets on which certain collections of ancient Greek and Roman laws were inscribed; hence applied to the laws themselves; esp. the Twelve Tables, drawn up by the decemviri B.C. 451 and 450, embodying the most important rules of Roman law, and forming the chief basis of subsequent legislation. (b) New tables (tr. L. novæ tabulæ): see quot. 1727–38.
1726. Ayliffe, Parergon, 33. By the Law of the twelve Tables, only those were called unto the Legal or Intestate Succession of their Parents, that were in the Parent’s power at the time of his Death.
1727–38. Chambers, Cycl., s.v., New Tables, Tabulæ novæ, an edict occasionally published, in the Roman commonwealth, for the abolishing all kinds of debts, and annulling all obligations.
1788. Gibbon, Decl. & F., xliv. (1790), VIII. 8. In the comparison of the tables of Solon with those of the Decemvirs, some casual resemblance may be found.
1847. Grote, Greece, II. x. (1849), III. 156. There occurred at Rome several political changes which brought about new tables or at least a partial depreciation of contracts.
1875. Maine, Hist. Inst., i. 10. The Roman law … is descended from a small body of Aryan customs reduced to writing in the fifth century B. C., and known as the Twelve Tables of Rome.
e. First, second table: the two divisions of the decalogue, relating to religious and moral duties, respectively, held to have occupied the two ‘tables of stone.’ Hence attrib.
1560. Maitl. Club Misc., III. 249. Committing … adultery brekand the third command of the Second table.
1605. James I, Gunpowder Plot, in Harl. Misc. (Malh.), III. 6. Al. the impieties and sins, that can be devised against both the first and second table.
1672. G. Newton, in Life J. Alleine, iv. (1838), 37. He was a second table man, a man of morals.
1873. H. Rogers, Orig. Bible, i. 21. The great commands of the ‘Second Table’ are ultimately based on the relations in which all creatures stand to Him who demands our homage in the ‘First Table.’
† 3. A board or other flat surface on which a picture is painted; hence, the picture itself. Obs.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), V. 399. Þe baner of þe cros wiþ a crucifix i-peynt in a table [L. in tabula depicti].
a. 1425. St. Eliz. of Spalbeck, in Anglia, VIII. 110/5. A tabil, ful wele depeynte with an ymage of oure lorde crucifyed.
1538. Starkey, England, I. ii. 28. Aftur the sentence of Arystotyl, the mynd of Man fyrst of hyt selfe ys as a clene and pure tabul, wherin ys no thyng payntyd or carvyd.
1538. Cromwell, in Merriman, Life & Lett. (1902), II. 120. That he may also take the Phisionomie of her that he may ioine her sister and her in a faire table.
1606. Peacham, Art Drawing, 7. Cesar … redeemed the tables of Ajax and Medæa for eighty talents.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, III. 145/1. On this Frame [an easel] Painters set their Cloth or Table while it is in working.
1700. T. Brown, Amusem. Ser. & Com., 74. My Picture is not yet dry: I will bring you this Table some Months hence.
fig. c. 1600. Shaks., Sonn., xxiv. Mine eye hath play’d the painter and hath steeld, Thy beauties forme in table of my heart.
† 4. a. The ‘board’ on which chess, draughts, backgammon, or any similar game is played. Obs.
c. 1470. MS. Ashmole, 344 (Bodl.) lf. 22. This is a Iupertie that may neuer be mated out of the medylle of the table.
1474. Caxton, Chesse, I. iii. (1883), 14. Then the philosophre began … to shewe hym the maner of the table of the chesse borde.
1519. Horman, Vulg., lf. 280/1. I have bought a playing tabull, with xii poyntes on the one syde, and chekers on the other syde.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, III. 67/2. Those men as break through the other and come to the opposite side of the table, are then made kings.
1801. Strutt, Sports & Past., IV. ii. 437. The table for playing at goose is … divided into sixty-two small compartments arranged in a spiral form.
b. Each of the two folding leaves of a backgammon board (inner and outer table); hence in pl. (often pair of tables), a backgammon board (obs.). Also, the half of each leaf in relation to the player to whom it belongs.
1483. Cath. Angl., 376. A paire of Tabyls tabelle.
1573. L. Lloyd, Marrow of Hist. (1653), 136. The art of dicing and playing divers kinds of games upon tables.
1611. Cotgr., Damier, a Chesse-boord; or, paire of Tables.
1657. North’s Plutarch, Add. Lives (1676), 10. Necessitated to cast up the Cards, to shut the Tables, and to resign the Game.
1745. Hoyle, Backgam., 22. Two Fours, two of them are to take your Adversary’s Cinq Point in his Tables.
1779. Mackenzie, in Mirror, No. 11, ¶ 13. [He] snatched up the tables and hit Douglas a blow on the head.
1870. Hardy & Ware, Mod. Hoyle, 141. The object of the game is to bring the men round to your own ‘home,’ or inner table.
c. Phr. To turn the tables: to reverse the relation between two persons or parties, so as to put each in the other’s place or relative condition; to cause a complete reversal of the state of affairs. In the active voice, one of the parties is said to turn the tables (upon the other), in passive, the tables are turned (sometimes † the tables turn).
(A metaphor from the notion of players reversing the position of the board so as to reverse their relative positions.)
1634. Sanderson, Serm., II. 290. Whosoever thou art that dost another wrong, do but turn the tables: imagine thy neighbour were now playing thy game, and thou his.
1647. Digges, Unlawf. Taking Arms, iii. 70. The tables are quite turned, and your friends have undertaken the same bad game, and play it much worse.
1682. Enq. Elect. Sheriffs, 31. Whensoever the Tables shall so far turn, as that we have a Mayor who will … drink to one of the contrary and opposite Party.
1713. Addison, Guard., No. 134, ¶ 4. In short, Sir, the tables are now quite turned upon me.
1753. Miss Collier, Art Torment., 148. But it is time now to turn the tables; to be extremely chearful and good humoured to all around you; and to be melancholy, peevish, and ill-humoured, only with your friend.
1846. W. H. Furness, Spirit of the Pilgrims, 22 Dec., 12. Time will turn the tables upon us, and make us ridiculous forever, if we chance to pour our contempt upon those whom Posterity shall delight to honour, and whose names shall illustrate our age.
1889. Jessopp, Coming of Friars, iii. 165. Suppose the men of the thirteenth century could turn the tables upon us [etc.].
1893. Selous, Trav. S. E. Africa, 33. They had won the first match, though I hoped I might yet turn the tables on them in the return.
** A raised board at which persons may sit.
5. An article of furniture consisting of a flat top of wood, stone, or other solid material, supported on legs or on a central pillar, and used to place things on for various purposes, as for meals (see 6), for some work or occupation, or for ornament.
The specific use is often indicated by a qualifying word, as in billiard-table, dining-table, writing-table, work-table, etc.: see these words. Table dormant, dormant table: see DORMANT A. 3 b. See also ROUND TABLE.
a. 1300, c. 1330, etc. [see ROUND TABLE 1 a].
c. 1386. Table dormant [see DORMANT a. 3 b].
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. XIX. 158. Crist … over-turnede in þe temple here tables and here stalles.
c. 1450. Brut, 446. Next þaim, at the same table syttyng, þe Iustices.
a. 1562. G. Cavendish, Wolsey (1893), 227. My lord’s great crosse of sylver accustumably stode in the corner, at the table’s end.
1611. Cotgr., s.v. Table, Round tables take away contention; one being as neere his meat as another.
1625. Bacon, Ess., Counsel (Arb.), 329. A long Table, and a square Table, or Seats about the Walls.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe, I. 78. To make such necessary things as I found I most wanted, as particularly a Chair and a Table.
1853. W. Irving, in Life & Letters (1864), IV. 131. I see you are in the midst of hocus pocus with moving tables [etc.].
b. Phr. Upon the table: under consideration or discussion. To lay on or upon the table: of a legislative or deliberative body, to leave (a report, proposed measure, etc.) for the present, subject to its being considered or called up at any subsequent time; hence, sometimes, to defer its consideration indefinitely: so to lie on the table.
1646. R. Baillie, Anabaptism (1647), 163. The question of dipping and sprinkling never came upon the Table.
1817. Evans, Parl. Deb., 336. The petition was ordered to lie on the table.
1884. Rider Haggard, Dawn, xlii. The facts are, so to speak, all upon the table, and I will merely touch upon the main heads of my case.
8. spec. An article of furniture as described in 5 upon which food is served, and at or around which persons sit at a meal; often in phr. at table, at a meal or meals; for the table, for eating at a meal, for food. (Often passing into c.)
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. X. 101. I haue yherde hiegh men etyng atte table.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Prol., 100. He … carf biforn his fader at the table.
c. 1430. Lydg., Min. Poems (Percy Soc.), 67. Nat gredy at the table.
c. 1500. Doctr. Gd. Seruaunts (Percy Soc.), 8. Ye servauntes that wayte upon the table.
1577. B. Googe, Heresbach’s Husb., IV. (1586), 163. They are a very good dish for the table.
1638. Junius, Paint. Ancients, 164. You doe consecrate your tables, by setting salt-sellers and images of Gods upon the boord.
1706. E. Ward, Wooden World Diss. (1708), 18. He never deigns to discourse at Table with any below a Brother Captain.
1785. Holcroft, Tales of Castle (ed. 2), I. 65. Just as the family were sitting down to table.
1842. S. Lover, Handy Andy, ii. He shared in the hospitality of all the best tables in the county.
1855. Delamer, Kitch. Gard. (1861), 19. The greening [of potatoes] … renders them unfit for table.
† b. A board (cf. sense 1) upon which food is served, placed on trestles or supports (the whole constituting a ‘table’ in the existing sense), and ‘taken up’ or removed at the conclusion of the meal. Obs.
[1390. Earl Derby’s Exp. (Camden), 49/18. Pro j tabula comensali cum j pare tresteles.]
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 485/1. Table, mete boord that ys borne a-wey whan’ mete ys doon, cillaba.
15[?]. Adam Bel, 569, in Hazl., E. P. P., II. 162. Take vp the table, anone he bad: For I may eate no more.
1612. Shelton, Quix., I. IV. vi. 358. Dinner being ended, and the table taken vp.
c. transf. Provision of food for meals; supply of food; fare; = BOARD sb. 7; entertainment of a family or guests at table; eating, feasting.
c. 1400. Langl.’s P. Pl., C. XVII. 322. Hus wone is to wende in pilgrymages, Ther poure men and prysouns beþ, and payeþ for here lyflode [v.rr. fode, table].
1426–7. Rec. St. Mary at Hill, 67. Also payd for Elymesfordes table ix dayes, euery day ij d.
1602. 2nd Pt. Return fr. Parnass., II. v. (Arb.), 30. My father … keepes an open table for all kinde of dogges.
1611. Cotgr., Tenir bonne table, to keepe a good table, to fare well.
1672. Sir C. Lyttelton, in Hatton Corr. (Camden), 97. The King allows mee … 10ll a weeke for a table.
1722. B. Star, trans. Mlle. de St. Phale’s Mem., i. 4. My Mother … entertained thoughts of placing me in a Convent, paying for my Table.
1882. Harper’s Mag., LXV. 598. Boarding at four dollars a week, and not a very good table at that.
Mod. Too much addicted to the pleasures of the table.
7. Usually with defining word, as the Lord’s table, the holy table: (a) In a church, that upon which the elements are placed at the Communion; the communion table: esp. when the rite is not regarded as a sacrifice (cf. ALTAR 2 b). (b) transf. The Communion.
1340. Ayenb., 236. Godes table is þe wyeued. Þe coupe is þe chalis.
1526. Tindale, 1 Cor. x. 21. Ye cannot be parte takers off the lordes table, and off the table off devyls.
1548–9. (Mar.) Bk. Com. Prayer, Communion. Not suffering them to bee partakers of the Lordes table untill he knowe them to bee reconciled.
1550. Acts Privy Counc. (1891), III. 170. That it was convenyent to take downe the aultars as thinges abused, and in liewe of them to sett up tables as thinges moste meete for the Supper of the Lorde, and most agreable to the first constitution.
1552. Bk. Com. Prayer, Communion. The Table hauyng at the Communion tyme a fayre white lynnen clothe vpon it.
1678. Evelyn, Diary, 22 March. Now was our communion table plac’d altar-wise.
a. 1711. Ken, Edmund, Poet. Wks. 1721, II. 203. Just in the midst was th’ Holy Table plac’d, Where it the Past’ral Chair directly fac’d.
a. 1751. Doddridge, Hymn. My God, and is Thy table spread?
1890. Bp. W. W. How, Holy Communion, II. 66. You will now have some little space of time for private prayer and meditation,… before you go up to the Holy Table.
1902. T. M. Lindsay, Ch. & Min. in Early Cent., vi. 254. After the celebration the faithful, who all remained in the church, came forward to the ‘Table.’
b. In Presbyterian churches, applied also to each dispensing of the Sacrament on a Communion Sabbath.
Formerly, it was usual to have three or more ‘tables,’ one after another; it is still common to have two. To fence the tables: see FENCE v. 9.
1709. [see FENCE v. 9].
1714. T. Boston, Mem., 24 Aug. I communicated at the fourth table.
1840. R. McCheyne, in Mem., v. 133. At the last table every head seemed bent like a bulrush while A. B. spoke.
8. transf. A company of persons at a table.
c. 1330–1485. [see ROUND TABLE 1 c].
1532. More, Confut. Tindale, III. 177. Lyke a iugler that conuayeth his galles so craftely, that all the table spyeth them.
1890. Doyle, White Company, ix. King Arthur and all his table could not have done more.
b. The company at dinner or at a meal.
1602. Shaks., Ham., V. i. 211. Your flashes of Merriment that were wont to set the Table on a Rore.
1750. Johnson, Rambler, No. 75, ¶ 15. He … carries me the first dish, in defiance of the frowns and whispers of the table.
1778. Phil. Surv. S. Irel., 424. His flashes of wit and humour keep the table in a roar.
c. An official body of persons who sit at a table for the transaction of business; = BOARD sb. 8 b. Obs. exc. in special connections.
The Tables in Sc. Hist., the permanent committees formed in 1638, to defend the Presbyterian system, by whom the National Covenant was framed. Table of Magnates and of Deputies, the two divisions of the Hungarian Diet.
1606. Bryskett, Civ. Life, 8. I my selfe can testifie with how good contentment of all the table you did serue so many yeares.
1640–1. Kirkcudbr. War-Comm. Min. Bk. (1855), 40. For the foirsaid ryot,… and for the upbraiding of the table, by saying that he was committit to ward without ane fault.
1647. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., III. § 52. Committees of dexterous men have been appointed out of the Table to do the business of it.
1654. H. L’Estrange, Chas. I. (1655), 149. In despight of the Kings Proclamation, [they] erected Four Tables, one of the Nobility, another of the Gentry, a third of the Burroughs, a fourth of the Ministers; these four were to prepare and digest what was to be propounded at the General Table.
1665. Nicholas Papers (Camden), II. 336. Impositions without parliament, committments by councell table.
1673. Essex Papers (Camden), 96. There were then two elections in being, one made by ye Lord Mayor in ye presence & wth ye consent of a Table of Aldermen & Sheriffs, & another by ye Lord Mayor singly, in ye presence of a Table of Aldermen & Sheriffs.
1890. Blair, Bellesheim’s Hist. Cath. Ch. Scot., IV. 5. The National Covenant … was framed by four committees called the Tables.
9. A table on which some game of chance is played; a gaming-table; also, the company of players at such a table.
1750. Johnson, Rambler, No. 15, ¶ 11. I perpetually embarrassed my partner, and soon perceived the contempt of the whole table gathering upon me.
1770. Foote, Lame Lover, II. Wks. 1799, II. 80. Lady Cicely … has six tables every Sunday.
1826. Disraeli, Viv. Grey, V. xiii. The plan will be for two to bank against the table.
1879. W. Collins, Haunted Hotel, iii. 21. A gambler at every ‘table’ on the Continent.
*** A tabulated arrangement or statement.
10. An arrangement of numbers, words, or items of any kind, in a definite and compact form, so as to exhibit some set of facts or relations in a distinct and comprehensive way, for convenience of study, reference, or calculation. Now chiefly applied to an arrangement in columns and lines occupying a single page or sheet, as the multiplication table, tables of weights and measures, a table of logarithms, astronomical tables, insurance tables, TIME-TABLES, etc. But formerly sometimes merely: An orderly arrangement of particulars, a list.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Frankl. T., 545. Hise tables tolletanes forth he brought Ful wel corrected ne ther lakked nought. Ibid. (c. 1391), Astrol., II. § 45. So many ȝeris, monythis, & dayes entere in-to thy tabelis of thy mene mote.
c. 1400. Prymer (1891), 13. In this table men mowe knowe … what day schal be Ester day.
1553. Eden, Treat. Newe Ind. (Arb.), 8. The most parte or Globes and mappes are made after Prolomeus Tables.
1617. Moryson, Itin., To Rdr. A briefe Table expressing the value of the small Coynes most commonly spent.
1660. J. Moore, Arith., II. 5. All decimal Arithmetick is brought to that scale or degree … as appears by the Table in the beginning of my other Book.
1674. The multiplication-table [see MULTIPLICATION 6].
1712. Addison, Spect., No. 421, ¶ 8. A Table of the principal Contents in each Paper.
1758. Reid, trans. Macquer’s Chem., I. 159. Explanation of the Table of Affinities.
1808. Pike, Sources Mississ., III. 221. A statistical table, on which he had in a regular manner taken the whole province of New Mexico,… giving latitude, longitude, and population.
1858. Buckle, Civiliz. (1864), II. ii. 182. Tables of mortality.
1863–72. Watts, Dict. Chem., I. 464. Table of Atomic Weights.
† b. absol. = Table of contents (CONTENT sb.1 2 b): a concise and orderly list of contents, or an index; in quot. 1460 applied to a concordance. Obs.
1460. Capgrave, Chron. (Rolls), 154. He was eke the first begynner of the Concordauns, whech is a tabil onto the Bibil.
c. 1550. H. Lloyd, Treas. Health. The table of this boke.
1583. (title) The Newe Testament … with a Table or Concordance, Englished by L. Tomson.
1614. Selden, Titles Hon., Pref. B iij. Out of the Title, Table, and Contents of the Chapters … the Summe and Method discouer themselues.
1707. Mortimer, Husb. (1721), I. 393. A Table to the First Volume.
1824. J. Johnson, Typogr., I. 317. The Work contains three Prologues and a Table, which occupy nine leaves.
† c. A statement of particulars or details in a concise form, so as to be exhibited at one view, as in a broadside; a synoptical statement; a document embodying such a statement. a. 1577 fig. a sketch, plan, scheme. Obs.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., XVIII. 260 b, margin. The Protestauntes answer to the table of outlawery.
a. 1577. Sir T. Smith, Commw. Eng. (1609), 134. This being as a project or table of a Commonwealth truly laid before you.
1593–4. (Mar. 20) Proclam. Privy Counc., in Arb., Garner, I. 299. In this brief Table is set down the punishment appointed for the offenders.
1599. Massinger, etc., Old Law, II. i. He bought a table, indeed, Only to learn to die by ’t.
† d. Geographical table: a map or chart. Obs.
1610. Holland, Camden’s Brit. (1637), 106. A chorographicall table or mappe of Britaine.
1654. trans. Martini’s Conq. China, A iij b. I thought it good to prefix a little Geographical table of the Countries, and chief Cities, which might serve as a guide to conduct the eye of the understanding.
e. Tables: the common arithmetical tables, as the multiplication table and those of money, weights, and measures, esp. as learnt at school.
1828. Miss Mitford, Village, Ser. III. 125 (Village Schoolmistress). She is going to be a governess … and it’s to be hoped the little ladies will take kindly to their tables.
1893. K. Grahame, Pagan Papers (1894), 127. He had ‘gone into tables,’ and had been endowed with a new slate.
II. Special and technical senses (chiefly arising out of sense 1).
† 11. pl. Tables, formerly the ordinary name of BACKGAMMON (Obs. since c. 1750); app. orig. the ‘men’ or pieces used in playing early forms of this game: cf. med.L. tabulæ, OF. tables, ON. tafla, pl. töflur, in same sense.
Chiefly in the phr. to play at (the) tables, OF. juer as tables (Chans. Rol., 11th c.). In this application the name has in later use been often associated with sense 4 b.
[a. 700. Epinal Gl., 6. Alea teblae.
c. 725. Corp. Gl., 110. Alea tebl.]
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 3965. Wiþ pleynge atte tables oþer atte chekere.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 28338 (Cott.). I ha me liked … til idel gammes, chess and tablis.
1330. R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 11392. Somme pleide wyþ des & tables.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Parson’s T., ¶ 719. Now comth hasardrie with hise apurtenances as tables and Rafles.
1472. Surtees Misc. (1888), 25. John Coke suffers men to play in his hous at the tablez for mony by nyghtes.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. VIII., 149 b. A proclamacion … against al vnlawfull games … in all places, Tables, Dice, Cardes, and Boules, were taken and brent.
1665. Pepys, Diary, 21 Sept. After losing a crowne betting at Tables, we walked home.
1700. S. L., trans. Fryke’s Voy. E. Ind., 10. Tables & Draughts are allowed, yet must they not play at them for Money.
1808. Scott, Marm., I. xxii. Full well at tables can he play, And sweep at bowls the stake away.
12. Arch. a. A general term for a horizontal projecting course or molding, as a cornice; a string-course. Usually with defining word, as base-table, bench-t., corbel-t., earth-t., grass-t., ground-t., water-t.: see these words.
13[?]. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 789. Ande eft a ful huge heȝt hit haled vpon lofte, Of harde hewen ston vp to þo tablez.
1447–8. Corbel table [see CORBEL sb. 3].
1640. Ground-table [see GROUND sb. 18].
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, III. 472/1. The Foot Table, is a Square Corner standing out at the bottom, or middle sides of the Gable end.
1845. Parker, Gloss. Archit. (ed. 3), 357. The word table, when used separately without any adjunctive term to point out its position, appears to have signified the cornice, but it is very usually associated with other epithets which define its situation, as base-table, earth-table, or ground-table, bench-table, corbel-table, &c. Ibid., Earth Table, or Ground Table, and Grass Table, the plinth of a wall…, or lowest course of projecting stones immediately above the ground.
b. A member consisting of a flat vertical surface, usually of rectangular form, plain or ornamented, sunk in or projecting beyond the general surface of a wall, etc.; a panel.
1678. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., No. 6. 113. In Plate 6. s is the Table.
1703. Maundrell, Journ. Jerus. (1721), 37. A large Table plain’d in the side of the Rock.
1727–41. Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Pedestal, The generality of architects … use tables or pannels, either in relievo or creux, in the dyes of pedestals.
1823. P. Nicholson, Pract. Build., 594. Table, projecting or raised. Ibid. Table, raking; one not perpendicular to the horizon.
1876. Gwilt, Archit. Gloss., s.v., When the surface is rough, frosted, or vermiculated, from being broken with the hammer, it is called a rusticated table.
13. † a. A plot of ground for planting; a bed. Cf. TABLEMEAL. Obs. rare.
c. 1440. Pallad. on Husb., I. 810. Mark oute thi tables [gloss beddes], ichon by hem selve. Ibid., II. 99 [heading De tabulis vinearum]. The tables for thi vynes maist thou make … as the list, or as thi lande Wol axe.
b. A flat elevated tract of land; a table-land, plateau; a flat mountain-top; also Geol. applied to a horizontal stratum.
1587. Harrison, England, I. i. 1/2. Albeit the continent hereof … lieth as it were a long table betweene the two seas.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts (1658), 428. There was a Region, called by Ptolemeus, Randa marcostra, wherein he placeth the eleventh Table of Asia.
1634. Sir T. Herbert, Trav., 13. The ascent to the Sugar-loafe and Table [Table Mountain], two Hils so named.
1869. Tozer, Highl. Turkey, I. 155. A valley … nearly … filled up from side to side by a level table of land.
1888. J. D. Whitney, Names & Places, 181 (Cent. Dict.). The flat summits of mountains are sometimes called ‘tables,’ and especially in California, where there are several ‘table mountains’ … capped usually with horizontal or table-like masses of basalt.
c. A flat hedge-bank: see quot. dial.
1844. Stephens, Bk. Farm, II. 574. The hedger lays them, with the grass side downwards, upon the edges of the set-sods,… pushing them under and as if to support the thorn roots with them. Those … are called the table.
14. Palmistry. The quadrangular space between certain lines in the palm of the hand: see quots., and cf. table-line in 22.
c. 1460. Metham, Wks., 86. The fourthe lyne ys the tabyl lyne, for that parte off the hand ys clepyd the tabyl the qwyche ys be-twene the myd lyne and the tabyl lyne.
1596. Shaks., Merch. V., II. ii. 167. If anie man in Italie haue a fairer table which doth offer to sweare vpon a booke, I shall haue good fortune.
1625. Shirley, Love Tricks, V. i. (1631), 63. In this table Lies your story: ’tis no fable, Not a line within your hand But I easily vnderstand.
1653. R. Sanders, Physiogn., 87. This space is called the Table of the hand, which hath on the one side the Mensal Line, on the other the middle Natural Line.
1883. Frith & Heron-Allen, Chiromancy, 138. The Quadrangle is that portion of the human hand comprised between the line of the Head and the line of the Heart, and between the line of Fate and the line of Apollo. It is sometimes called the table of the Hand.
15. † a. A small cake of some drug or confection: = TABLET sb. 3. Obs.
1580. Frampton, Monardi’s Dial. Yron, 162. Then take a small table of rosade of a sweete smel.
1621. Venner, Tobacco (1650), 410. Tables made with an Ounce or two of fine Sugar dissolved in Fennell water.
b. A large flat circular disk, plate, or sheet of crown-glass, being the form in which it is made.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, III. 385/2. A Table is a brond peece of Glass neere a yard, some more, square, it is also called a Tablet.
1727–41. Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Glass, The number of tables annealed at a time. Ibid., Ratcliff crown glass … the tables being of a circular form, about three foot six inches in diameter.
1823. P. Nicholson, Pract. Build., 420. The glass is bought by the crate, which consists of twelve tables.
1890. W. J. Gordon, Foundry, 144. The ‘table’ of crown glass is from four to five feet across.
c. A crystal of flattened or short prismatic form.
1796. Kirwan, Elem. Min. (ed. 2), I. 362. Crystallized in rhomboidal tables.
1805–17. R. Jameson, Char. Min. (ed. 3), 106 Table … is but a very short prism.
1857. Miller, Elem. Chem. (1862), III. 542. The acid benzoate of potash … in colourless, pearly tables,… sparingly soluble in water.
d. A sheet (of lead).
1809. Bawdwen, Domesday Bk., 294. These manors paid in King Edward’s time … five cartlands of lead of fifty tables [orig. v plaustratas plumbi de l tabulis].
16. Anat. Each of the two dense bony layers of the skull, separated by the diploĕ.
1612. Woodall, Surg. Mate, Wks. (1653), 3. If a Fracture happen in the Cranium, with contusion and depression of both the Tables thereof.
1799. Hooper, Med. Dict., Diploe … the spongy substance between the two tables of the skull.
1898. Syd. Soc. Lex., s.v., The inner or vitreous table is compared to porcelain, and is close-grained and brittle.
17. A flat plate, board, or the like, forming part of a mechanism or apparatus.
† a. The face or dial-plate of a clock or watch.
a. 1677. Hale, Prim. Orig. Man., IV. iv. 326. To fit the Table with Divisions suitable to the Hours. Ibid., vi. 341. The Wheels, and the Ballance, and the Case, and Table.
b. In various manufactures, A flat metal plate (often movable or adjustable) for supporting something to be operated upon, etc.; the plate with a raised rim on which plate-glass is made.
1727–41. Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Glass, The table of glass is now in its last perfection…. When taken out, they lay it on a table of copper.
1832. G. R. Porter, Porcelain & Gl., 200. Another essential part of the apparatus consists in flat tables whereon the plates of glass are cast.
1833. J. Holland, Manuf. Metal, II. 238. By turning the wheel, the table E is drawn between the cylinders, the counterpoise F rising accordingly.
1839. Ure, Dict. Arts, 590. Whenever the melted glass is poured out, two men spread it over the table.
1877. Knight, Dict. Mech., 2477/2. The shaping-machine … has two tables for holding work both of which are movable up and down … and longitudinally.
1892. [see table-loader in 22].
c. (See quot.)
1763. Mills, Pract. Husb., I. 332. M. Duhamel’s drill is fastened to the fore-carriage of a common plough. The hind part consists of a plank … at least three inches thick, which is called the table.
d. In an organ: (a) The upper part of the sound-board, above the sound-board bars and grooves, perforated with holes for admitting air to the pipes. (In quot. 1852 applied to the sound-board bars.) (b) The upper board of the bellows.
1852. Seidel, Organ, 52. These partitions are called grooves, and the ledges … by which they are separated, tables.
1881. C. A. Edwards, Organs, 49. The top of the sound-board, technically called the table.
1881. W. E. Dickson, Organ.-Build., vi. 72. Organ-bellows … consist of three main boards, namely, the middle board, the top board or table [etc.].
e. ‘The board or bar in a draw-loom to which the tails of the harness are attached’ (Knight, 1877).
f. Shipbuilding. = COAK sb. 1, q.v.
Cf. TABLE v. 6, TABLING vbl. sb. 7.
g. Plain table (surveying instrument): see PLANE-TABLE.
18. a. The upper horizontal surface of a table diamond or a brilliant. b. Short for TABLE DIAMOND; also applied to other precious stones cut in a similar form.
1530. Lett. & Pap. Hen. VIII., IV. No. 6789 (P.R.O.). iiij diamantes wherof ij poynted and ij tables.
1538. Acc. Ld. High Treas. Scotl., VII. 14. Ane grete diamand sett in table for the quenis spousing ring.
1703. Lond. Gaz., No. 3929/4. Two single Stone Diamond Rings, Tables.
1751. D. Jefferies, Treat. Diamonds (ed. 2), Explan. Techn. Terms, The Table is the large horizontal plane, or face, at the top of the Brilliant.
1861. W. Pole, in Macm. Mag., III. 184/2. The apex of the upper pyramid is cut off to a considerable extent, and the large facet thus formed is called the table.
1904. 19th Cent., July, 136. A necklace of carnelian, ‘cut in tables,’ is deemed worthy of being handed down to posterity as an heirloom.
19. Perspective. A name for the perspective plane, or ‘plane of the picture’: see PLANE sb.3 1 d. (Cf. sense 3.) ? Obs.
1727–41. Chambers, Cycl., Table, in perspective, denotes a plain surface, supposed to be transparent, and perpendicular to the horizon.
1876. in Gwilt, Archit., Gloss.
20. = TABULA 2.
1891. in Cent. Dict.
III. attrib. and Comb.
21. a. Simple attrib.: in sense 5, ‘of a table’: as table-drawer, -head, -leg; in sense 6, ‘of the dinner-table’: as table-companion, -fellow, (-fellowship), -friend, -guest, -jester, -male, -parasite, -patron, † -peer (= -companion), -servant, -steward; table argument, collection, conference, conversation, fellowship, gratification, manner, philosophy; of implements, etc. used at table, as table-fork, -furniture, -garnish; of articles of food or drink, consumed or adapted for consumption at table, as table ale, beer, bird, cider, dainty, delicacy, drink, fish, fruit, honey, mustard, potato, salt. b. Objective, etc., as table-jogging, -serving, -setting, etc. c. Having the form of a table; having a wide horizontal surface on which things may be placed, as table-cabinet, -screen, -stage, etc.; table-formed, table-like adjs.
1547. Salesbury, Welsh Dict., Aflcwrwf, *table ale.
1848. Dickens, Dombey, xviii. Mrs. Wickam … takes more table-ale than usual.
1632. Star Chamb. Cases (Camden), 100. It is hard I confesse to call in question for all that is spoaken at table; and yet this should not have been a *table argument.
1643. in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. IV. 435. 2 hogsheades of stronge beere, 1 hogshead of *table beere.
1830. M. Donovan, Dom. Econ., I. 207. Table-beer should have the characters of an ale, not of porter.
1884. St. James’ Gaz., 22 Aug., 4/2. The capercailzie … as a *table bird … will prove a disappointment.
1851. Mantell, Petrifact., iii. § 1. 136. The floor [of a room in Brit. Mus.] being occupied by twenty-six *Table-cabinets.
1902. Daily Chron., 17 May, 6/4. There are many families who make it a habit to have a *table collection each week for some religious or philanthropic work.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Commensal, a *Table-companion.
1861. Thackeray, Four Georges, iv. (1876), 107. His next set of friends were mere table companions.
1712. Addison, Spect., No. 495, ¶ 9. This shuts them out from all *Table Conversation.
1802. Wolcott (P. Pindar), Ld. Belgrave & Motions, Wks. 1812, IV. 523. Every *table-dainty, flesh and fish.
c. 1813. Mrs. Sherwood, Stories Ch. Catech., xvi. 137. To look in the *table-drawer, for a little book.
1817. Lady Morgan, France, I. (1818), I. 65. The *table-drink of the poorest peasantry.
1592. G. Harvey, Four Lett., Wks. (Grosart), I. 208. The *Table-fellow of Duke Humfrey, & Tantalus, might learne of him to curse Iupiter.
1863. Hawthorne, Our Old Home (1879), 356. I was meditating in what way this grisly featured table-fellow might … be accosted.
1903. Hibbert Jrnl., March, 614. James’s scruples about *table-fellowship between Jewish and Gentile believers in Gal. ii. 12.
1897. Outing (U. S.), XXX. 435/2. Pickerel were better *table-fish.
1842. J. Aiton, Domest. Econ. (1857), 110. The scones should be pricked with a *table-fork or small pointed wooden pin.
a. 1843. Southey, Comm.-pl. Bk. (1849), IV. 408. The mountains are *table-formed.
1586. T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad., I. (1594), 135. We must shun such parasites, who are but saluting and *table friends.
1707. Mortimer, Husb. (1721), II. 293. The Fig-apple is a good *Table-Fruit.
1861. Our Eng. Home, 11. The *table garnish was not very extensive, a few wooden platters, some knives and spoons … were the principal articles.
1773. Melmoth, Remarks on Cato, 229 (Jod.). A moderate indulgence … in the *table gratifications.
a. 1592. Greene, Jas. IV., Wks. (Rtldg.), 188/1. I found *table-guests to eat me and my meat.
1733. Swift, On Poetry, 264. Battus from the *table-head,… Gives judgment with decisive air.
1865. Kingsley, Herew., xix. At the table-head … sat … the new Lord of Bourne.
1571. Golding, Calvin on Ps. xxxv. 16. Ye *tablejesters, which gave their verdict of his death among the cups.
1891. Pall Mall G., 29 Oct., 2/1. There was a certain amount of table-jogging and spilling of liquors.
c. 1870. Tennyson, in Daily News, 1 March (1898), 7/5. I am convinced that God and the ghosts of men would choose something other than mere *table-legs through which to speak to the heart of man.
1904. Daily Chron., 28 July, 4/7. What the Americans would call his *‘table-manners.’
1624. Gataker, Mariage Praier, 19. [Woman] was … giuen to man, not to be a play-fellow, or a bed-fellow, or a *table-mate, onely with him,… but to be a yoake-fellow, a worke-fellow, a fellow-labourer with him.
1797. Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3), XIII. 192/1. Leaving a cake behind, fit for making the common *table-mustard.
1751. Warburton, in Pope’s Wks. (1806), IV. 7. A detected Slanderer, a *Table-Parasite, a Church-Buffoon, and a Party-Writer.
1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 14. I knowe you are no *table patrones.
1605. Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. iii. Law, 843. God’s pensioner, and Angel’s *Table peer, O Israel!
1576. R. Johnes (title), The Schoolemaster; or Teacher of *Table Philosophie.
1593. G. Harvey, Pierce’s Super., Wks. (Grosart), II. 34. It is another Table-Philosophy, that I fansie.
1807. Vancouver, Agric. Devon (1813), 200. The produce of the *table potatoe crop seldom falls short of 350 bushels.
1878. Gurney, Crystallogr., 84. Common *table salt crystallises in this form.
1881. A. C. Grant, Bush Life Queensl., I. vii. 85. The fleece, gathered carefully with both hands is conveyed to a long *table-screen.
1882. Floyer, Unexpl. Baluchistan, 163. He had appointed himself *table servant.
1907. Philippine Education, Sept., 46/1. We had a few lessons in *table-setting.
1867. J. Hogg, Microsc., I. ii. 88. Below the *table-stage is the secondary or sub-stage.
22. Special Combs.: table-allowance, an allowance of money for provisions (= table money [a]); table-almanac, an almanac on a single sheet or card; table-anvil, ‘a small anvil adapted to be screwed to a table for bending plates of metal or wires, making small repairs, etc.’ (Knight, 1877); † table balas: see BALAS, and cf. TABLE DIAMOND, RUBY; table-bat [BAT sb.2 11], ? a horizontal stratum of ‘bat’ or shale in a bed of coal; table-bed: see quot.; table-bell, a small hand-bell placed upon the table for summoning attendants; table-bit: see quot.; † table-carpet, a woollen table-cloth (see CARPET sb. 1); table-centre, a piece of embroidery, decorated work, etc., for the center of a table, placed over the table-cloth; table-churn, a churn placed upon a table; table-clamp, a clamp for fastening something to a table; table-clock, a clock that is or may be placed on a table; table-couch, a couch for reclining on at table; table-counter, a counter of the form of a table; table-cover, a cloth of wool or other fabric used for covering a table permanently or when not in use for meals (= TABLE-CLOTH b); † table-coverer, an attendant who covered the table, i.e., laid the cloth, etc., for a meal (see COVER v.1 2 d); table-crumb, a crumb that falls from the table at a meal; † table-decker = table-coverer; table-discourse, discourse at table, table-talk; table-faced a. = TABLE-CUT, (see sense 18); table-flap, a hinged flap or ‘leaf’ at the end or side of a table, which can be raised so as to extend the surface; † table-gesture [GESTURE sb. 2], posture or attitude at table, i.e., at a meal; table-glass, (a) glass made in ‘tables’ (see 15 b), crown-glass; (b) a glass (drinking-vessel) for use at table; † table-gospeller, one who makes table-talk of the gospel; one whose religion is mere talk; table-grinder, ‘a form of grinding-bench’ (Knight, Dict. Mech., 1877); table-ground, flat elevated ground (cf. TABLE-LAND); table-knife, a knife used at table, esp. one of the shape or size used in cutting the meat small; table-knight, a knight who sits at someone’s table, spec. at the ROUND TABLE; table-lathe, a small lathe clamped to a table when in use; table-leaf [LEAF sb. 12 c], (a) = table-flap; (b) any additional piece that can be inserted so as to extend the surface of a table; also attrib. table-leaf joint, the form of joint, with one part convex and the other concave, used in a hinged table-leaf; table-lifting, the lifting of a table by supposed spiritual agency (cf. TABLE-TURNING); table-line, in Palmistry, a line running from beneath the little finger to the base of the index-finger, forming the upper boundary of the ‘table’; table-linen, linen for use at table, as table-cloths and table-napkins; table-loader, one who loads the hoist-table of a lift; table-maid, a domestic servant who lays the table and waits at meals; table-maker, a joiner who makes tables; table-matter (Printing) = table-work; table-money, (a) an extra allowance of money made to the higher officers in the British army and navy for table expenses; (b) a charge made in some clubs for the use of the dining-room; also, an extra charge in some restaurants; † table-monument, a monument consisting of a ‘table’ (sense 2 a); a monumental tablet; table-mountain, a flat-topped mountain; spec. the name of the mountain that rises behind Cape Town; table-moving, the moving of a table by supposed spiritual agency (cf. TABLE-TURNING); table-music, music in parts, so printed (as in some early books of madrigals, etc.) that the performers, sitting at opposite sides of a table, can read their respective parts from the same page or opening; table napery = table-linen; table-napkin, a napkin used at meals to protect the clothes from being soiled, to wipe the fingers, etc.; table-pew, a large pew containing the communion-table, as formerly usual in some Presbyterian and other churches; † table-picture, a picture painted on a ‘table’ (sense 3); table-plain, an elevated plain, a table-land; table-plane, a plane for making rule-joints in table-flaps, etc.; table-plank, a plank serving as a table when placed upon supports; cf. 6 b; table-plate, (a) articles of plate (PLATE sb. 15), for use at meals; (b) a plate (usually of earthenware) from which food is eaten at table; (c) a flat metal plate on which pulverized gold or silver ore is treated with mercury in the process of amalgamation; † table-play, play at ‘tables’ or backgammon; so † table-player, † tables-playing; table-prayers, a name for the communion service, or a part of it, read at the communion-table, but without administration; † table-rent: see quot.; table-rock, a flat-topped rock; † table-room, room or place at table, i.e., at meals; board; table-saw, a small saw fitted to a table and worked by a treadle; table-service, (a) the Communion service (in Presbyterian churches); (b) service or attendance at table; (c) a set of utensils for the table, as a dinner-service; table-shore, Naut., a low level shore; table-sod, in hedging, one of the sods forming the ‘table’ (sense 13 c); table-song, (a) Gr. Antiq., a song sung by the guests at a banquet in turn; (b) a part-song such as is sung in a German liedertafel or choral society (Cent. Dict.); table-spar, a name for WOLLASTONITE, also called tabular spar, occurring in ‘tables’ or flat crystals; table-sport, sport or play at table; in quot., an object of sport or mockery at table, the butt or laughing-stock of a company; table-tapping = TABLE-RAPPING; table-tennis, a parlor game resembling lawn-tennis, played upon a table: = PING-PONG; table-tilting, -tipping, the tilting or tipping of a table by supposed spiritual agency (cf. TABLE-TURNING); so table-tipper, one who practises table-tipping; table-tomb, a tomb in the Roman catacombs containing a burial-chest with a flat cover; any tomb in some way resembling a table; table-top, (a) the upper surface of a table; (b) a flat top of a hill, rock, etc.; table-topped a., having a flat top like that of a table; table-tree, an adjustable table-like rest mounted on a lathe; table-turf = table-sod; table-vessel, a vessel for use at table; † such vessels collectively (obs.); table-water, water (esp. a mineral water) suitable for drinking at table; table-wheel: see quot.; table-work (Printing), the setting up of tables (sense 10), or of matter between column rules; concr. printed matter of this kind, as distinguished from ordinary letter-press. See also TABLE-BOARD, -BOOK, -CLOTH, etc.
1810. Wellington, in Gurw., Desp. (1838), V. 598. I beg that you will draw a *table allowance of thirty shillings a day.
1621. Stationers’ Register (Arb.), IV. 11. *Table almanacke on a sheet of paper.
1530. Lett. & Papers Hen. VIII., IV. No. 6789 (P.R.O.). A goodly carkeyn with a fayr *table balasse.
1712. F. Bellers, in Phil. Trans., XXVII. 542. The *Table-Bat, next under the Rubble Iron-Stone.
1773. Johnson, *Tablebed, a bed of the figure of a table.
1858. Simmonds, Dict. Trade, *Table-bell, a small hand-bell for summoning domestics or office attendants.
1843. Holtzapffel, Turning, II. xxiv. 539. The spoon-bit … the *table-bit, for making the holes for the wooden joints of tables, [is] of this kind.
1715. J. Chappelow, Rt. Way Rich (1717), 144. *Table-carpets or bed-coverlets.
1901. Lady’s Realm, X. 616. This white satin *table-centre is decorated with ribbon, lace, braid, and embroidery.
1844. Stephens, Bk. Farm, III. 906. For this purpose, there is perhaps none better than the *Table-churn.
1774. Chron., in Ann. Reg., 121/1. A *table-clock, a silver spoon, and a silk gown.
1877. C. Geikie, Christ, lviii. (1879), 704. Lazarus reclined with him on the *table-couch.
1667. in Pettus, Fodinæ Reg. (1670), 36. One *Table-counter with Cupboards, Shelves, etc.
1851. Mayhew, Lond. Labour, I. 388. Sellers of Japanned *table-covers…. The glazed table-covers.
1864. Webster, Table-cover, a cloth for covering a table, especially at other than meal-times.
1737. J. Chamberlayne, St. Gt. Brit. (ed. 33), II. III. 220. *Table-Coverer to the Chaplains.
1726–46. Thomson, Winter, 255. Till, more familiar grown, the *table-crums Attract his [the redbreast’s] slender feet.
1804. J. Grahame, Sabbath (1808), 34. Where little birds … Light on the floor, and peck the table-crumbs.
1737. J. Chamberlayne, St. Gt. Brit. (ed. 33), II. III. 228. *Table-Deckers.
1843. Macaulay, Ess., Mme. d’Arblay (1887), 755. The whole Palace from Gold Stick in Waiting down to the Table-Deckers.
1611. Cotgr., s.v. Table, *Table-discourse is an excellent Schoolemaister.
1659. Burton’s Diary (1828), IV. 395. It is their table discourse that we shall be ruined.
1877. W. Jones, Finger-ring, 366. The other ring is also of gold, with a square *table-faced diamond.
1858. Simmonds, Dict. Trade, *Table-flap, the leaf of a folding-table.
1641. Sanderson, Serm. (1681), II. 8. They, using the liberty of that power, had appointed sitting or standing, rather than kneeling, as judging either of them a more proper *table gesture than it.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., 241. Many … (though they concede a table-gesture) will hardly allow this usuall way of Session.
1727–4. Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Glass, The same for window, or *table glass, as for round glass.
1815. J. Smith, Panorama Sc. & Art, II. 208. White flint, or English crystal, generally used for table-glasses.
1610. Boys, Wks. (1630), 374. O that the *table-gospellers of our time … would consider aright this terrible judgement.
1850. R. G. Cumming, Hunter’s Life S. Afr. (1902), 157/1. I had the satisfaction to discover the spoor of three bucks on a piece of rocky *table-ground on the highest summit of the range.
c. 1460. J. Russell, Bk. Nurture, 334, in Babees Bk. Take a loofe of trenchurs in þy lifft hande, þan take þy *table knyfe.
1810. Sporting Mag., XXXV. 282. To work … at his business, as a table-knife cutler.
c. 1865. G. Gore, in Circ. Sc., I. 235/2. This tendency is sometimes manifested in depositing silver upon table-knives and forks.
1675. J. Smith, Chr. Relig. App., I. 18. In his erecting of that strange Order of *Table-Knights,… instituted … in contempt of Apollo.
1871. Tennyson, Last Tourn., 69. Some hold he was a table-knight of thine … the Red Knight, he.
1883. Proc. Soc. Psych. Research, I. 248. He would have really ‘exploded the whole nonsense’ of *table-lifting.
c. 1460. *Tabyl lyne [see sense 14 above].
1611. Cotgr, Mensale, the Table-line in the hand; (a tearme of Palmistrie).
1653. R. Sanders, Physiogn., 45. He that hath the Table-line broad and well-coloured he is jocund and couragious.
1680. Lond. Gaz., No. 1500/4. A large black Trunk filled with Diaper.*Table-Linnen and Sheets.
1855. Mrs. Gaskell, North & S., xxvi. Continuing her inspection of the table-linen.
1892. Labour Commission Gloss., *Table-loaders, synonymous with ‘lift-loaders.’
1895. Cath. News, 16 Nov., 2. She had been *tablemaid to a clergyman.
c. 1515. Cocke Lorell’s B. (Percy Soc.), 10. *Table makers, sylke dyers, and shepsters.
1771. Luckombe, Hist. Print., 283. *Table-matter is generally braced in, when it wants driving out in width.
1866. Cornh. Mag., Oct., 467. The old screw … saves half his *table-money, and gives you stuff to drink only fit to send down the scuppers.
1901. Daily News, 13 Dec., 7/1. In the lower-priced restaurants it is called ‘table money,’ and in the higher-priced ones placed under the captivating heading of couvert.
1761. Biogr. Dict., IV. 200. A handsome *table monument of blue marble was raised over his [Drayton’s] grave.
[1791. Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3), VIII. 16/2. On approaching the Cape, a very remarkable eminence may … be discovered … called the *Table-mountain from its appearance.]
1822. G. Young, Geol. Surv. Yorks. Coast (1828), 67. Extensive flats, nearly level, as in what are called Table mountains.
1886. A. Winchell, Walks Geol. Field, 95. When the erosion cuts the lava-sheet along parallel lines, it gives rise to the forms known as ‘table-mountains.’
1853. Ann. Reg., 66. The faith in question is termed *‘Table-moving.’
1862. B. Taylor, Home & Abr., Ser. II. vii. 442. Circles began to be formed in my native town, for the purpose of table-moving.
1875. Stainer & Barrett, Dict. Mus. Terms, *Table music, compositions intended to be sung by several persons sitting at a table.
1859. Mrs. Gaskell, Round Sofa, 331. Some fine yarn she was having spun for *table-napery.
1564. Will J. Smyth (2 Morrison & Crimes, Somerset Ho.). A fine *table napkin with blewe clowdes.
a. 1649. Drumm. of Hawth., Hist. Jas. IV., Wks. (1711), 74. Girded about him with a towel or table-napkin, of a comely and reverend aspect.
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, xxviii. A handful of soft moss served the purposes of a table-napkin.
1897. Sturgeon, Autobiog., iv. 26. In front of the pulpit, was the *table-pew, wherein sat the elders of the congregation.
1610. Healey, St. Aug. Citie of God, ii. (1620), 7. Gazing upon a *table picture.
1835. Willis, Pencillings, I. xxiii. 166. A graceful slope … swells up to a broad *table-plain on the mountain.
1626. in Mem. Fountains (Surtees), 365. One bed of wainscott … and also three *table plankes.
1669. W. Montagu, in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), I. 446. The Queen’s *table plate.
1705. trans. Bosman’s Guinea, 272. As broad as a common Table-Plate.
1877. Raymond, Statist. Mines & Mining, 329. Amalgamation in batteries, on table-plates, in pans, and on a second set of table-plates on a floor below.
1550. Crowley, Last Trump., 490. Thy tauerne gate, and *table playe, thy cardes, thy dyce.
1586. T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad. (1589), 317. Plato compared our life to table-play.
1631. R. Byfield, Doctr. Sabb., 152. Let no Table-play carry away the mind.
c. 1450. Medulla (Cath. Angl. 376). Aliator, a *tabyl pleyare.
1631. Celestina, I. 15. Your Table-players, and other Gamesters never lose, but they peale foorth her prayses.
1577. Northbrooke, Dicing (1579), 55. *Table playing and Chesse playing may be vsed of any men moderately.
1862. Union, 11 April. Anything more dreary than *‘Table prayers’ at eleven o’clock we cannot conceive.
1701. Cowell’s Interpr., *Table-Rents, Redditus ad mensam, rents paid to Bishops or Religious Prelates, reserv’d or appropriated to their Table or House-keeping.
1853. Mrs. Moodie, Life in Clearings, 365. The fall of that large portion of the *table-rock has made the alteration.
1607. Tourneur, Rev. Trag., IV. ii. For *table-roome, I feed on those that cannot be rid of me.
1823. Chalmers, in Hanna, Mem. (1849), II. xv. 395. She allowed me … to continue the *table-service in the way I had found to be most convenient.
1846. Mrs. Gore, Eng. Char. (1852), 99. In table-service his attendance was impartial.
1891. Cent. Dict., s.v. Service1, Table-service, a set of utensils for the table.
1896. Daily News, 6 April, 2/5. The President … handed to him the handsome table service which he had given to be run for.
1864. Webster, *Table-shore, Naut., a low, level shore.
1871. Tennyson, Last Tourn., 461. As the crest of some slow-arching wave, Heard in dead night along that table-shore, Drops flat.
1844. Stephens, Bk. Farm, II. 575. The assistant throws the parings of the sides and bottom of the ditch upon the hedge-bank, immediately behind the *table-sod.
1847. Grote, Greece, II. xxix. IV. 109. [Archilochus] was the earliest popular and successful composer of *table-songs or Skolia.
1836. Brande, Chem. (ed. 4), 860. There are some minerals, and among them *table-spar or Wollastonite … which are silicates of lime.
1598. Shaks., Merry W., IV. ii. 169. Let me for euer be your *Table-sport.
1854. J. G. MacWalter (title), The Modern Mystery of *Table-Tapping.
1901. Daily Chron., 16 Dec., 8/2. The *table tennis or ‘ping-pong’ tournament … concluded on Saturday night at the Royal Aquarium.
1903. Westm. Gaz., 2 March, 7/1. We tried spiritualism … first by *table-tilting.
1865. Lowell, Lett., I. 386. I translate by direct inspiration of a scholiast turned *table-tipper.
1855. Smedley, etc., Occult Sc., 201. If the *table-tipping be made to answer as a code of signals.
1876. E. Venables, in Encycl. Brit., V. 209/2. In the *table-tomb the recess above, essential for the introduction of the corpse, is square, while in the arcosolium, a form of later date, it is semi-circular.
1807. Vancouver, Agric. Devon (1813), 293. He reached and ascended the *table top of Haldon.
1886. A. Winchell, Walks Geol. Field, 95. It … projects like a table-top beyond the gravel.
1834. Ld. Houghton, Mem. Many Scenes, Tempe, Introd. (1844), 35. A line of rugged crags, peaked or *table-topped.
1897. Daily News, 3 May, 7/4. A … valley lying between high, sharply scarped table-topped hills.
1853. O. Byrne, Artisan’s Handbk., 63. A miniature lathe-head mounted on a wooden *table-tree.
1805. R. W. Dickson, Pract. Agric., I. 119. Care being taken … to raise the ground where they are placed with two or three *table turfs.
1594. Plat, Jewell-ho., 14. One masse, whereof they make our drinking Glasses, and all sortes of *Table-vessell.
1895. Westm. Gaz., 23 Oct., 5/2. The Rosbach *table-water, a fresh sparkling table-water.
1794. Rigging & Seamanship, I. 57. *Table-wheel, to lay ropes, from a six-thread rat-line to a two-inch and half rope, is fixed in the wheel-house.
1771. Luckombe, Hist. Print., 272. Divisions are used instead of rules, in *Table-work of narrow Columns.
1832. Babbage, Econ. Manuf., xxi. (ed. 3), 207. Work with irregular lines and many figures, and what the printers call rules,… is called table-work.
1879. [see TABULAR 2 c].
