Table sb. World English Historical Dictionary

Table sb. World English Historical Dictionary Dictionary Biographies Literary Criticism Welcome Terms of Service ⧏ Previous Next ⧐ Contents Slice Contents Key Bibliographic Record Murray’s New English Dictionary. 1916, rev. 2022. Table sb. 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.

1   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 these phonetic forms were superseded by others assimilated to the L., as F. table, Sp.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.]

2   I.  Ordinary senses. *A flat slab or board.

3   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.

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].

5 13[?].  E. E. Allit. P., A. 1003. Þe calsydoyne … In þe þryd table con purly pale.

6 c. 1440.  Alphabet of Tales, 39. He layed hym downe before þe ya[tt], & knokkid with his tables as lepre men duse.

7 1447.  Bokenham, Seyntys (Roxb.), 35. In tablys of marbyl coryously wroul.

8 1507.  Acc. Ld. High Treas. Scot., III. 253. Item, for ane tabil of gold to the Kingis bonet.

9 1530.  Palsgr., 278/2. Table for an auter, table dautel.

10 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.

11 1672.  Josselyn, New Eng. Rarities, 100. A fair Table curiously made up with Beads likewise, to wear before their Breast.

12 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.

13 1730.  W. Warren, Collect., in Willis & Clark, Cambridge (1886), I. 225. A Marble Table for ye Side-board on a Mohogany Stand.

14 1849.  Ruskin, Sev. Lamps, iii. § 17. 83. The dark, flat, solid tables of leafage.

15 1889.  Philos. Mag., May, 409. Strata which … lie … in their original horizontal position. These parts are called ‘tables’ by Suess.

16   † b.  A board or plank (in quots., a plank used as a raft after shipwreck); hence fig. Obs.

17 1390.  Gower, Conf., III. 296. He … broghte him sauf upon a table, which to the lond him hath upbore.

18 c. 1440.  Gesta Rom., lxv. 293 (Harl. MS.). Þerfor seiyth Ierome, Penitencia est secunda fabula post naufragium, Penaunce is the secunde table after naufragie.

19 a. 1533.  Ld. Berners, Huon, lvii. 194. We saued vs on a table of wode.

20 1617.  Janua Ling., 6. Contrition of heart is a second table after shipwracke.

21   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.

22 c. 1050.  Byrhtferth’s Handboc, in Anglia, VIII. 327. Pæra ȝeara ȝetæl hæfð seo tabule þe we mearkian willað.

23 c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 11. Efter þan drihten him bi-tahte twa stanene tables breode on hwulche godalmihti heofde iwriten þa ten laȝe.

24 c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 3535. And gaf to tabeles of ston, And .x. bodeword writen ðor-on.

25 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 6541. Þe tables þat in hand he [Moses] bare To pees he þam brak right þar.

26 c. 1400.  Maundev. (1839), ii. 10. The table abouen his heued … on the whiche the tytle was writen, in Ebreu, Greu, and Latyn.

27 1543.  N. Heath, Injunctions, in Frere, Use of Sarum, II. 236. Certain prayers … conteyned in Tabylles sett in the grammer scole.

28 1641.  Evelyn, Mem., 4 Oct. Divers votive tables and relics.

29 1720.  Ozell, Vertot’s Rom. Rep., I. VI. 311. The last Laws of the Decemvirs engraved upon Tables of Brass.

30 1849.  G. P. R. James, Woodman, viii. As stern as the statue of Moses breaking the tables.

31   † b.  A small portable tablet for writing upon, esp. for notes or memoranda; a writing-tablet. Often in phr. a pair (of) tables. Obs.

32   Rased table = tabula rasa: see TABULA 1 b.

33 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 11087. Þam asked þan sir zachari Tables and a pontel tite.

34 1382.  Wyclif, 1 Macc. xiv. 17. Thei wryten to hym in brasen tablis.

35 1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), VI. 257. Charles … bare a peyre of tables for to write ynne.

36 1451.  Capgrave, Life St. Aug., 25. He took a peyre tables, and wroot in þe wax al his desir.

37 1555.  Eden, Decades, 51. Rased or vnpaynted tables are apte to receaue what formes soo euer are fyrst drawen theron.

38 a. 1592.  Greene, Jas. IV., Wks. (Rtldg.), 193. Draw your tables, and write what wise I speak.

39 1614.  B. Jonson, Barth. Fair, IV. iii. I saw one of you buy a paire of tables, e’en now.

40 1656.  Stanley, Hist. Philos., v. (1701), 184/1. These things are imprinted and form’d in her as in a Table.

41   c.  fig. (from a or b). Obs. or arch.

42 1382.  Wyclif, 2 Cor. iii. 3. Writun … not in stoony tablis, but in fleischly tablis of herte.

43 1599.  Davies, Immort. Soul, cccxxxv. All these true notes of Immortalitie In our Hearts Tables we shall written find.

44 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.

45 1693.  Bentley, Serm. (J.). The mighty volumes of visible nature, and the everlasting tables of right reason.

46   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.

47 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.

48 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.

49 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.

50 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.

51 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.

52   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.

53 1560.  Maitl. Club Misc., III. 249. Committing … adultery brekand the third command of the Second table.

54 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.

55 1672.  G. Newton, in Life J. Alleine, iv. (1838), 37. He was a second table man, a man of morals.

56 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.’

57   † 3.  A board or other flat surface on which a picture is painted; hence, the picture itself. Obs.

58 1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), V. 399. Þe baner of þe cros wiþ a crucifix i-peynt in a table [L. in tabula depicti].

59 a. 1425.  St. Eliz. of Spalbeck, in Anglia, VIII. 110/5. A tabil, ful wele depeynte with an ymage of oure lorde crucifyed.

60 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.

61 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.

62 1606.  Peacham, Art Drawing, 7. Cesar … redeemed the tables of Ajax and Medæa for eighty talents.

63 1688.  R. Holme, Armoury, III. 145/1. On this Frame [an easel] Painters set their Cloth or Table while it is in working.

64 1700.  T. Brown, Amusem. Ser. & Com., 74. My Picture is not yet dry: I will bring you this Table some Months hence.

65   fig.  c. 1600.  Shaks., Sonn., xxiv. Mine eye hath play’d the painter and hath steeld, Thy beauties forme in table of my heart.

66   † 4.  a. The ‘board’ on which chess, draughts, backgammon, or any similar game is played. Obs.

67 c. 1470.  MS. Ashmole, 344 (Bodl.) lf. 22. This is a Iupertie that may neuer be mated out of the medylle of the table.

68 1474.  Caxton, Chesse, I. iii. (1883), 14. Then the philosophre began … to shewe hym the maner of the table of the chesse borde.

69 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.

70 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.

71 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.

72   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.

73 1483.  Cath. Angl., 376. A paire of Tabyls tabelle.

74 1573.  L. Lloyd, Marrow of Hist. (1653), 136. The art of dicing and playing divers kinds of games upon tables.

75 1611.  Cotgr., Damier, a Chesse-boord; or, paire of Tables.

76 1657.  North’s Plutarch, Add. Lives (1676), 10. Necessitated to cast up the Cards, to shut the Tables, and to resign the Game.

77 1745.  Hoyle, Backgam., 22. Two Fours, two of them are to take your Adversary’s Cinq Point in his Tables.

78 1779.  Mackenzie, in Mirror, No. 11, ¶ 13. [He] snatched up the tables and hit Douglas a blow on the head.

79 1870.  Hardy & Ware, Mod. Hoyle, 141. The object of the game is to bring the men round to your own ‘home,’ or inner table.

80   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).

81   (A metaphor from the notion of players reversing the position of the board so as to reverse their relative positions.)

82 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.

83 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.

84 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.

85 1713.  Addison, Guard., No. 134, ¶ 4. In short, Sir, the tables are now quite turned upon me.

86 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.

87 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.

88 1889.  Jessopp, Coming of Friars, iii. 165. Suppose the men of the thirteenth century could turn the tables upon us [etc.].

89 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.

90   **  A raised board at which persons may sit.

91   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.

92   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.

93 a. 1300, c. 1330, etc.  [see ROUND TABLE 1 a].

94 c. 1386.  Table dormant [see DORMANT a. 3 b].

95 1393.  Langl., P. Pl., C. XIX. 158. Crist … over-turnede in þe temple here tables and here stalles.

96 c. 1450.  Brut, 446. Next þaim, at the same table syttyng, þe Iustices.

97 a. 1562.  G. Cavendish, Wolsey (1893), 227. My lord’s great crosse of sylver accustumably stode in the corner, at the table’s end.

98 1611.  Cotgr., s.v. Table, Round tables take away contention; one being as neere his meat as another.

99 1625.  Bacon, Ess., Counsel (Arb.), 329. A long Table, and a square Table, or Seats about the Walls.

100 1719.  De Foe, Crusoe, I. 78. To make such necessary things as I found I most wanted, as particularly a Chair and a Table.

101 1853.  W. Irving, in Life & Letters (1864), IV. 131. I see you are in the midst of hocus pocus with moving tables [etc.].

102   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.

103 1646.  R. Baillie, Anabaptism (1647), 163. The question of dipping and sprinkling never came upon the Table.

104 1817.  Evans, Parl. Deb., 336. The petition was ordered to lie on the table.

105 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.

106   6.  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.)

107 1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. X. 101. I haue yherde hiegh men etyng atte table.

108 c. 1386.  Chaucer, Prol., 100. He … carf biforn his fader at the table.

109 c. 1430.  Lydg., Min. Poems (Percy Soc.), 67. Nat gredy at the table.

110 c. 1500.  Doctr. Gd. Seruaunts (Percy Soc.), 8. Ye servauntes that wayte upon the table.

111 1577.  B. Googe, Heresbach’s Husb., IV. (1586), 163. They are a very good dish for the table.

112 1638.  Junius, Paint. Ancients, 164. You doe consecrate your tables, by setting salt-sellers and images of Gods upon the boord.

113 1706.  E. Ward, Wooden World Diss. (1708), 18. He never deigns to discourse at Table with any below a Brother Captain.

114 1785.  Holcroft, Tales of Castle (ed. 2), I. 65. Just as the family were sitting down to table.

115 1842.  S. Lover, Handy Andy, ii. He shared in the hospitality of all the best tables in the county.

116 1855.  Delamer, Kitch. Gard. (1861), 19. The greening [of potatoes] … renders them unfit for table.

117   † 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.

118 [1390.  Earl Derby’s Exp. (Camden), 49/18. Pro j tabula comensali cum j pare tresteles.]

119 c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 485/1. Table, mete boord that ys borne a-wey whan’ mete ys doon, cillaba.

120 15[?].  Adam Bel, 569, in Hazl., E. P. P., II. 162. Take vp the table, anone he bad: For I may eate no more.

121 1612.  Shelton, Quix., I. IV. vi. 358. Dinner being ended, and the table taken vp.

122   c.  transf. Provision of food for meals; supply of food; fare; = BOARD sb. 7; entertainment of a family or guests at table; eating, feasting.

123 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].

124 1426–7.  Rec. St. Mary at Hill, 67. Also payd for Elymesfordes table ix dayes, euery day ij d.

125 1602.  2nd Pt. Return fr. Parnass., II. v. (Arb.), 30. My father … keepes an open table for all kinde of dogges.

126 1611.  Cotgr., Tenir bonne table, to keepe a good table, to fare well.

127 1672.  Sir C. Lyttelton, in Hatton Corr. (Camden), 97. The King allows mee … 10ll a weeke for a table.

128 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.

129 1882.  Harper’s Mag., LXV. 598. Boarding at four dollars a week, and not a very good table at that.

130 Mod.  Too much addicted to the pleasures of the table.

131   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.

132 1340.  Ayenb., 236. Godes table is þe wyeued. Þe coupe is þe chalis.

133 1526.  Tindale, 1 Cor. x. 21. Ye cannot be parte takers off the lordes table, and off the table off devyls.

134 1548–9.  (Mar.) Bk. Com. Prayer, Communion. Not suffering them to bee partakers of the Lordes table untill he knowe them to bee reconciled.

135 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.

136 1552.  Bk. Com. Prayer, Communion. The Table hauyng at the Communion tyme a fayre white lynnen clothe vpon it.

137 1678.  Evelyn, Diary, 22 March. Now was our communion table plac’d altar-wise.

138 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.

139 a. 1751.  Doddridge, Hymn. My God, and is Thy table spread?

140 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.

141 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.’

142   b.  In Presbyterian churches, applied also to each dispensing of the Sacrament on a Communion Sabbath.

143   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.

144 1709.  [see FENCE v. 9].

145 1714.  T. Boston, Mem., 24 Aug. I communicated at the fourth table.

146 1840.  R. McCheyne, in Mem., v. 133. At the last table every head seemed bent like a bulrush while A. B. spoke.

147   8.  transf. A company of persons at a table.

148 c. 1330–1485.  [see ROUND TABLE 1 c].

149 1532.  More, Confut. Tindale, III. 177. Lyke a iugler that conuayeth his galles so craftely, that all the table spyeth them.

150 1890.  Conan Doyle, White Company, ix. King Arthur and all his table could not have done more.

151   b.  The company at dinner or at a meal.

152 1602.  Shaks., Ham., V. i. 211. Your flashes of Merriment that were wont to set the Table on a Rore.

153 1750.  Johnson, Rambler, No. 75, ¶ 15. He … carries me the first dish, in defiance of the frowns and whispers of the table.

154 1778.  Phil. Surv. S. Irel., 424. His flashes of wit and humour keep the table in a roar.

155   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.

156   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.

157 1606.  Bryskett, Civ. Life, 8. I my selfe can testifie with how good contentment of all the table you did serue so many yeares.

158 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.

159 1647.  Clarendon, Hist. Reb., III. § 52. Committees of dexterous men have been appointed out of the Table to do the business of it.

160 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.

161 1665.  Nicholas Papers (Camden), II. 336. Impositions without parliament, committments by councell table.

162 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.

163 1890.  Blair, Bellesheim’s Hist. Cath. Ch. Scot., IV. 5. The National Covenant … was framed by four committees called the Tables.

164   9.  A table on which some game of chance is played; a gaming-table; also, the company of players at such a table.

165 1750.  Johnson, Rambler, No. 15, ¶ 11. I perpetually embarrassed my partner, and soon perceived the contempt of the whole table gathering upon me.

166 1770.  Foote, Lame Lover, II. Wks. 1799, II. 80. Lady Cicely … has six tables every Sunday.

167 1826.  Disraeli, Viv. Grey, V. xiii. The plan will be for two to bank against the table.

168 1879.  W. Collins, Haunted Hotel, iii. 21. A gambler at every ‘table’ on the Continent.

169   ***  A tabulated arrangement or statement.

170   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.

171 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.

172 c. 1400.  Prymer (1891), 13. In this table men mowe knowe … what day schal be Ester day.

173 1553.  Eden, Treat. Newe Ind. (Arb.), 8. The most parte or Globes and mappes are made after Prolomeus Tables.

174 1617.  Moryson, Itin., To Rdr. A briefe Table expressing the value of the small Coynes most commonly spent.

175 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.

176 1674.  The multiplication-table [see MULTIPLICATION 6].

177 1712.  Addison, Spect., No. 421, ¶ 8. A Table of the principal Contents in each Paper.

178 1758.  Reid, trans. Macquer’s Chem., I. 159. Explanation of the Table of Affinities.

179 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.

180 1858.  Buckle, Civiliz. (1864), II. ii. 182. Tables of mortality.

181 1863–72.  Watts, Dict. Chem., I. 464. Table of Atomic Weights.

182   † 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.

183 1460.  Capgrave, Chron. (Rolls), 154. He was eke the first begynner of the Concordauns, whech is a tabil onto the Bibil.

184 c. 1550.  H. Lloyd, Treas. Health. The table of this boke.

185 1583.  (title) The Newe Testament … with a Table or Concordance, Englished by L. Tomson.

186 1614.  Selden, Titles Hon., Pref. B iij. Out of the Title, Table, and Contents of the Chapters … the Summe and Method discouer themselues.

187 1707.  Mortimer, Husb. (1721), I. 393. A Table to the First Volume.

188 1824.  J. Johnson, Typogr., I. 317. The Work contains three Prologues and a Table, which occupy nine leaves.

189   † 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.

190 1560.  Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., XVIII. 260 b, margin. The Protestauntes answer to the table of outlawery.

191 a. 1577.  Sir T. Smith, Commw. Eng. (1609), 134. This being as a project or table of a Commonwealth truly laid before you.

192 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.

193 1599.  Massinger, etc., Old Law, II. i. He bought a table, indeed, Only to learn to die by ’t.

194   † d.  Geographical table: a map or chart. Obs.

195 1610.  Holland, Camden’s Brit. (1637), 106. A chorographicall table or mappe of Britaine.

196 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.

197   e.  Tables: the common arithmetical tables, as the multiplication table and those of money, weights, and measures, esp. as learnt at school.

198 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.

199 1893.  K. Grahame, Pagan Papers (1894), 127. He had ‘gone into tables,’ and had been endowed with a new slate.

200   II.  Special and technical senses (chiefly arising out of sense 1).

201   † 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.

202   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.

203 [a. 700.  Epinal Gl., 6. Alea teblae.

204 c. 725.  Corp. Gl., 110. Alea tebl.]

205 1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 3965. Wiþ pleynge atte tables oþer atte chekere.

206 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 28338 (Cott.). I ha me liked … til idel gammes, chess and tablis.

207 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 11392. Somme pleide wyþ des & tables.

208 c. 1386.  Chaucer, Parson’s T., ¶ 719. Now comth hasardrie with hise apurtenances as tables and Rafles.

209 1472.  Surtees Misc. (1888), 25. John Coke suffers men to play in his hous at the tablez for mony by nyghtes.

210 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.

211 1665.  Pepys, Diary, 21 Sept. After losing a crowne betting at Tables, we walked home.

212 1700.  S. L., trans. Fryke’s Voy. E. Ind., 10. Tables & Draughts are allowed, yet must they not play at them for Money.

213 1808.  Scott, Marm., I. xxii. Full well at tables can he play, And sweep at bowls the stake away.

214   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.

215 13[?].  Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 789. Ande eft a ful huge heȝt hit haled vpon lofte, Of harde hewen ston vp to þo tablez.

216 1447–8.  Corbel table [see CORBEL sb. 3].

217 1640.  Ground-table [see GROUND sb. 18].

218 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.

219 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.

220   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.

221 1678.  Moxon, Mech. Exerc., No. 6. 113. In Plate 6. s is the Table.

222 1703.  Maundrell, Journ. Jerus. (1721), 37. A large Table plain’d in the side of the Rock.

223 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.

224 1823.  P. Nicholson, Pract. Build., 594. Table, projecting or raised. Ibid. Table, raking; one not perpendicular to the horizon.

225 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.

226   13.  † a. A plot of ground for planting; a bed. Cf. TABLEMEAL. Obs. rare.

227 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.

228   b.  A flat elevated tract of land; a table-land, plateau; a flat mountain-top; also Geol. applied to a horizontal stratum.

229 1587.  Harrison, England, I. i. 1/2. Albeit the continent hereof … lieth as it were a long table betweene the two seas.

230 1607.  Topsell, Four-f. Beasts (1658), 428. There was a Region, called by Ptolemeus, Randa marcostra, wherein he placeth the eleventh Table of Asia.

231 1634.  Sir T. Herbert, Trav., 13. The ascent to the Sugar-loafe and Table [Table Mountain], two Hils so named.

232 1869.  Tozer, Highl. Turkey, I. 155. A valley … nearly … filled up from side to side by a level table of land.

233 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.

234   c.  A flat hedge-bank: see quot. dial.

235 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.

236   14.  Palmistry. The quadrangular space between certain lines in the palm of the hand: see quots., and cf. table-line in 22.

237 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.

238 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.

239 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.

240 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.

241 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.

242   15.  † a. A small cake of some drug or confection: = TABLET sb. 3. Obs.

243 1580.  Frampton, Monardi’s Dial. Yron, 162. Then take a small table of rosade of a sweete smel.

244 1621.  Venner, Tobacco (1650), 410. Tables made with an Ounce or two of fine Sugar dissolved in Fennell water.

245   b.  A large flat circular disk, plate, or sheet of crown-glass, being the form in which it is made.

246 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.

247 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.

248 1823.  P. Nicholson, Pract. Build., 420. The glass is bought by the crate, which consists of twelve tables.

249 1890.  W. J. Gordon, Foundry, 144. The ‘table’ of crown glass is from four to five feet across.

250   c.  A crystal of flattened or short prismatic form.

251 1796.  Kirwan, Elem. Min. (ed. 2), I. 362. Crystallized in rhomboidal tables.

252 1805–17.  R. Jameson, Char. Min. (ed. 3), 106 Table … is but a very short prism.

253 1857.  Miller, Elem. Chem. (1862), III. 542. The acid benzoate of potash … in colourless, pearly tables,… sparingly soluble in water.

254   d.  A sheet (of lead).

255 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].

256   16.  Anat. Each of the two dense bony layers of the skull, separated by the diploĕ.

257 1612.  Woodall, Surg. Mate, Wks. (1653), 3. If a Fracture happen in the Cranium, with contusion and depression of both the Tables thereof.

258 1799.  Hooper, Med. Dict., Diploe … the spongy substance between the two tables of the skull.

259 1898.  Syd. Soc. Lex., s.v., The inner or vitreous table is compared to porcelain, and is close-grained and brittle.

260   17.  A flat plate, board, or the like, forming part of a mechanism or apparatus.

261   † a.  The face or dial-plate of a clock or watch.

262 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.

263   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.

264 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.

265 1832.  G. R. Porter, Porcelain & Gl., 200. Another essential part of the apparatus consists in flat tables whereon the plates of glass are cast.

266 1833.  J. Holland, Manuf. Metal, II. 238. By turning the wheel, the table E is drawn between the cylinders, the counterpoise F rising accordingly.

267 1839.  Ure, Dict. Arts, 590. Whenever the melted glass is poured out, two men spread it over the table.

268 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.

269 1892.  [see table-loader in 22].

270   c.  (See quot.)

271 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.

272   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.

273 1852.  Seidel, Organ, 52. These partitions are called grooves, and the ledges … by which they are separated, tables.

274 1881.  C. A. Edwards, Organs, 49. The top of the sound-board, technically called the table.

275 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.].

276   e.  ‘The board or bar in a draw-loom to which the tails of the harness are attached’ (Knight, 1877).

277   f.  Shipbuilding. = COAK sb. 1, q.v.

278   Cf. TABLE v. 6, TABLING vbl. sb. 7.

279   g.  Plain table (surveying instrument): see PLANE-TABLE.

280   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.

281 1530.  Lett. & Pap. Hen. VIII., IV. No. 6789 (P.R.O.). iiij diamantes wherof ij poynted and ij tables.

282 1538.  Acc. Ld. High Treas. Scotl., VII. 14. Ane grete diamand sett in table for the quenis spousing ring.

283 1703.  Lond. Gaz., No. 3929/4. Two single Stone Diamond Rings, Tables.

284 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.

285 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.

286 1904.  19th Cent., July, 136. A necklace of carnelian, ‘cut in tables,’ is deemed worthy of being handed down to posterity as an heirloom.

287   19.  Perspective. A name for the perspective plane, or ‘plane of the picture’: see PLANE sb.3 1 d. (Cf. sense 3.) ? Obs.

288 1727–41.  Chambers, Cycl., Table, in perspective, denotes a plain surface, supposed to be transparent, and perpendicular to the horizon.

289 1876.  in Gwilt, Archit., Gloss.

290   20.  = TABULA 2.

291 1891.  in Cent. Dict.

292   III.  attrib. and Comb.

293   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.

294 1547.  Salesbury, Welsh Dict., Aflcwrwf, *table ale.

295 1848.  Dickens, Dombey, xviii. Mrs. Wickam … takes more table-ale than usual.

296 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.

297 1643.  in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. IV. 435. 2 hogsheades of stronge beere, 1 hogshead of *table beere.

298 1830.  M. Donovan, Dom. Econ., I. 207. Table-beer should have the characters of an ale, not of porter.

299 1884.  St. James’ Gaz., 22 Aug., 4/2. The capercailzie … as a *table bird … will prove a disappointment.

300 1851.  Mantell, Petrifact., iii. § 1. 136. The floor [of a room in Brit. Mus.] being occupied by twenty-six *Table-cabinets.

301 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.

302 1656.  Blount, Glossogr., Commensal, a *Table-companion.

303 1861.  Thackeray, Four Georges, iv. (1876), 107. His next set of friends were mere table companions.

304 1712.  Addison, Spect., No. 495, ¶ 9. This shuts them out from all *Table Conversation.

305 1802.  Wolcott (P. Pindar), Ld. Belgrave & Motions, Wks. 1812, IV. 523. Every *table-dainty, flesh and fish.

306 c. 1813.  Mrs. Sherwood, Stories Ch. Catech., xvi. 137. To look in the *table-drawer, for a little book.

307 1817.  Lady Morgan, France, I. (1818), I. 65. The *table-drink of the poorest peasantry.

308 1592.  G. Harvey, Four Lett., Wks. (Grosart), I. 208. The *Table-fellow of Duke Humfrey, & Tantalus, might learne of him to curse Iupiter.

309 1863.  Hawthorne, Our Old Home (1879), 356. I was meditating in what way this grisly featured table-fellow might … be accosted.

310 1903.  Hibbert Jrnl., March, 614. James’s scruples about *table-fellowship between Jewish and Gentile believers in Gal. ii. 12.

311 1897.  Outing (U. S.), XXX. 435/2. Pickerel were better *table-fish.

312 1842.  J. Aiton, Domest. Econ. (1857), 110. The scones should be pricked with a *table-fork or small pointed wooden pin.

313 a. 1843.  Southey, Comm.-pl. Bk. (1849), IV. 408. The mountains are *table-formed.

314 1586.  T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad., I. (1594), 135. We must shun such parasites, who are but saluting and *table friends.

315 1707.  Mortimer, Husb. (1721), II. 293. The Fig-apple is a good *Table-Fruit.

316 1861.  Our Eng. Home, 11. The *table garnish was not very extensive, a few wooden platters, some knives and spoons … were the principal articles.

317 1773.  Melmoth, Remarks on Cato, 229 (Jod.). A moderate indulgence … in the *table gratifications.

318 a. 1592.  Greene, Jas. IV., Wks. (Rtldg.), 188/1. I found *table-guests to eat me and my meat.

319 1733.  Swift, On Poetry, 264. Battus from the *table-head,… Gives judgment with decisive air.

320 1865.  Kingsley, Herew., xix. At the table-head … sat … the new Lord of Bourne.

321 1571.  Golding, Calvin on Ps. xxxv. 16. Ye *tablejesters, which gave their verdict of his death among the cups.

322 1891.  Pall Mall G., 29 Oct., 2/1. There was a certain amount of table-jogging and spilling of liquors.

323 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.

324 1904.  Daily Chron., 28 July, 4/7. What the Americans would call his *‘table-manners.’

325 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.

326 1797.  Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3), XIII. 192/1. Leaving a cake behind, fit for making the common *table-mustard.

327 1751.  Warburton, in Pope’s Wks. (1806), IV. 7. A detected Slanderer, a *Table-Parasite, a Church-Buffoon, and a Party-Writer.

328 1576.  Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 14. I knowe you are no *table patrones.

329 1605.  Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. iii. Law, 843. God’s pensioner, and Angel’s *Table peer, O Israel!

330 1576.  R. Johnes (title), The Schoolemaster; or Teacher of *Table Philosophie.

331 1593.  G. Harvey, Pierce’s Super., Wks. (Grosart), II. 34. It is another Table-Philosophy, that I fansie.

332 1807.  Vancouver, Agric. Devon (1813), 200. The produce of the *table potatoe crop seldom falls short of 350 bushels.

333 1878.  Gurney, Crystallogr., 84. Common *table salt crystallises in this form.

334 1881.  A. C. Grant, Bush Life Queensl., I. vii. 85. The fleece, gathered carefully with both hands is conveyed to a long *table-screen.

335 1882.  Floyer, Unexpl. Baluchistan, 163. He had appointed himself *table servant.

336 1907.  Philippine Education, Sept., 46/1. We had a few lessons in *table-setting.

337 1867.  J. Hogg, Microsc., I. ii. 88. Below the *table-stage is the secondary or sub-stage.

338   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.

339 1810.  Wellington, in Gurw., Desp. (1838), V. 598. I beg that you will draw a *table allowance of thirty shillings a day.

340 1621.  Stationers’ Register (Arb.), IV. 11. *Table almanacke on a sheet of paper.

341 1530.  Lett. & Papers Hen. VIII., IV. No. 6789 (P.R.O.). A goodly carkeyn with a fayr *table balasse.

342 1712.  F. Bellers, in Phil. Trans., XXVII. 542. The *Table-Bat, next under the Rubble Iron-Stone.

343 1773.  Johnson, *Tablebed, a bed of the figure of a table.

344 1858.  Simmonds, Dict. Trade, *Table-bell, a small hand-bell for summoning domestics or office attendants.

345 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.

346 1715.  J. Chappelow, Rt. Way Rich (1717), 144. *Table-carpets or bed-coverlets.

347 1901.  Lady’s Realm, X. 616. This white satin *table-centre is decorated with ribbon, lace, braid, and embroidery.

348 1844.  Stephens, Bk. Farm, III. 906. For this purpose, there is perhaps none better than the *Table-churn.

349 1774.  Chron., in Ann. Reg., 121/1. A *table-clock, a silver spoon, and a silk gown.

350 1877.  C. Geikie, Christ, lviii. (1879), 704. Lazarus reclined with him on the *table-couch.

351 1667.  in Pettus, Fodinæ Reg. (1670), 36. One *Table-counter with Cupboards, Shelves, etc.

352 1851.  Mayhew, Lond. Labour, I. 388. Sellers of Japanned *table-covers…. The glazed table-covers.

353 1864.  Webster, Table-cover, a cloth for covering a table, especially at other than meal-times.

354 1737.  J. Chamberlayne, St. Gt. Brit. (ed. 33), II. III. 220. *Table-Coverer to the Chaplains.

355 1726–46.  Thomson, Winter, 255. Till, more familiar grown, the *table-crums Attract his [the redbreast’s] slender feet.

356 1804.  J. Grahame, Sabbath (1808), 34. Where little birds … Light on the floor, and peck the table-crumbs.

357 1737.  J. Chamberlayne, St. Gt. Brit. (ed. 33), II. III. 228. *Table-Deckers.

358 1843.  Macaulay, Ess., Mme. d’Arblay (1887), 755. The whole Palace from Gold Stick in Waiting down to the Table-Deckers.

359 1611.  Cotgr., s.v. Table, *Table-discourse is an excellent Schoolemaister.

360 1659.  Burton’s Diary (1828), IV. 395. It is their table discourse that we shall be ruined.

361 1877.  W. Jones, Finger-ring, 366. The other ring is also of gold, with a square *table-faced diamond.

362 1858.  Simmonds, Dict. Trade, *Table-flap, the leaf of a folding-table.

363 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.

364 1646.  Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., 241. Many … (though they concede a table-gesture) will hardly allow this usuall way of Session.

365 1727–4.  Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Glass, The same for window, or *table glass, as for round glass.

366 1815.  J. Smith, Panorama Sc. & Art, II. 208. White flint, or English crystal, generally used for table-glasses.

367 1610.  Boys, Wks. (1630), 374. O that the *table-gospellers of our time … would consider aright this terrible judgement.

368 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.

369 c. 1460.  J. Russell, Bk. Nurture, 334, in Babees Bk. Take a loofe of trenchurs in þy lifft hande, þan take þy *table knyfe.

370 1810.  Sporting Mag., XXXV. 282. To work … at his business, as a table-knife cutler.

371 c. 1865.  G. Gore, in Circ. Sc., I. 235/2. This tendency is sometimes manifested in depositing silver upon table-knives and forks.

372 1675.  J. Smith, Chr. Relig. App., I. 18. In his erecting of that strange Order of *Table-Knights,… instituted … in contempt of Apollo.

373 1871.  Tennyson, Last Tourn., 69. Some hold he was a table-knight of thine … the Red Knight, he.

374 1883.  Proc. Soc. Psych. Research, I. 248. He would have really ‘exploded the whole nonsense’ of *table-lifting.

375 c. 1460.  *Tabyl lyne [see sense 14 above].

376 1611.  Cotgr, Mensale, the Table-line in the hand; (a tearme of Palmistrie).

377 1653.  R. Sanders, Physiogn., 45. He that hath the Table-line broad and well-coloured he is jocund and couragious.

378 1680.  Lond. Gaz., No. 1500/4. A large black Trunk filled with Diaper.*Table-Linnen and Sheets.

379 1855.  Mrs. Gaskell, North & S., xxvi. Continuing her inspection of the table-linen.

380 1892.  Labour Commission Gloss., *Table-loaders, synonymous with ‘lift-loaders.’

381 1895.  Cath. News, 16 Nov., 2. She had been *tablemaid to a clergyman.

382 c. 1515.  Cocke Lorell’s B. (Percy Soc.), 10. *Table makers, sylke dyers, and shepsters.

383 1771.  Luckombe, Hist. Print., 283. *Table-matter is generally braced in, when it wants driving out in width.

384 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.

385 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.

386 1761.  Biogr. Dict., IV. 200. A handsome *table monument of blue marble was raised over his [Drayton’s] grave.

387 [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.]

388 1822.  G. Young, Geol. Surv. Yorks. Coast (1828), 67. Extensive flats, nearly level, as in what are called Table mountains.

389 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.’

390 1853.  Ann. Reg., 66. The faith in question is termed *‘Table-moving.’

391 1862.  B. Taylor, Home & Abr., Ser. II. vii. 442. Circles began to be formed in my native town, for the purpose of table-moving.

392 1875.  Stainer & Barrett, Dict. Mus. Terms, *Table music, compositions intended to be sung by several persons sitting at a table.

393 1859.  Mrs. Gaskell, Round Sofa, 331. Some fine yarn she was having spun for *table-napery.

394 1564.  Will J. Smyth (2 Morrison & Crimes, Somerset Ho.). A fine *table napkin with blewe clowdes.

395 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.

396 1828.  Scott, F. M. Perth, xxviii. A handful of soft moss served the purposes of a table-napkin.

397 1897.  Sturgeon, Autobiog., iv. 26. In front of the pulpit, was the *table-pew, wherein sat the elders of the congregation.

398 1610.  Healey, St. Aug. Citie of God, ii. (1620), 7. Gazing upon a *table picture.

399 1835.  Willis, Pencillings, I. xxiii. 166. A graceful slope … swells up to a broad *table-plain on the mountain.

400 1626.  in Mem. Fountains (Surtees), 365. One bed of wainscott … and also three *table plankes.

401 1669.  W. Montagu, in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), I. 446. The Queen’s *table plate.

402 1705.  trans. Bosman’s Guinea, 272. As broad as a common Table-Plate.

403 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.

404 1550.  Crowley, Last Trump., 490. Thy tauerne gate, and *table playe, thy cardes, thy dyce.

405 1586.  T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad. (1589), 317. Plato compared our life to table-play.

406 1631.  R. Byfield, Doctr. Sabb., 152. Let no Table-play carry away the mind.

407 c. 1450.  Medulla (Cath. Angl. 376). Aliator, a *tabyl pleyare.

408 1631.  Mabbe, Celestina, I. 15. Your Table-players, and all other Gamesters neuer lose, but they peale foorth her prayses.

409 1577.  Northbrooke, Dicing (1579), 55. *Table playing and Chesse playing may be vsed of any men moderately.

410 1862.  Union, 11 April. Anything more dreary than *‘Table prayers’ at eleven o’clock we cannot conceive.

411 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.

412 1853.  Mrs. Moodie, Life in Clearings, 365. The fall of that large portion of the *table-rock has made the alteration.

413 1607.  Tourneur, Rev. Trag., IV. ii. For *table-roome, I feed on those that cannot be rid of me.

414 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.

415 1846.  Mrs. Gore, Eng. Char. (1852), 99. In table-service his attendance was impartial.

416 1891.  Cent. Dict., s.v. Service1, Table-service, a set of utensils for the table.

417 1896.  Daily News, 6 April, 2/5. The President … handed to him the handsome table service which he had given to be run for.

418 1864.  Webster, *Table-shore, Naut., a low, level shore.

419 1871.  Tennyson, Last Tourn., 461. As the crest of some slow-arching wave, Heard in dead night along that table-shore, Drops flat.

420 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.

421 1847.  Grote, Greece, II. xxix. IV. 109. [Archilochus] was the earliest popular and successful composer of *table-songs or Skolia.

422 1836.  Brande, Chem. (ed. 4), 860. There are some minerals, and among them *table-spar or Wollastonite … which are silicates of lime.

423 1598.  Shaks., Merry W., IV. ii. 169. Let me for euer be your *Table-sport.

424 1854.  J. G. MacWalter (title), The Modern Mystery of *Table-Tapping.

425 1901.  Daily Chron., 16 Dec., 8/2. The *table tennis or ‘ping-pong’ tournament … concluded on Saturday night at the Royal Aquarium.

426 1903.  Westm. Gaz., 2 March, 7/1. We tried spiritualism … first by *table-tilting.

427 1865.  Lowell, Lett., I. 386. I translate by direct inspiration of a scholiast turned *table-tipper.

428 1855.  Smedley, etc., Occult Sc., 201. If the *table-tipping be made to answer as a code of signals.

429 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.

430 1807.  Vancouver, Agric. Devon (1813), 293. He reached and ascended the *table top of Haldon.

431 1886.  A. Winchell, Walks Geol. Field, 95. It … projects like a table-top beyond the gravel.

432 1834.  Ld. Houghton, Mem. Many Scenes, Tempe, Introd. (1844), 35. A line of rugged crags, peaked or *table-topped.

433 1897.  Daily News, 3 May, 7/4. A … valley lying between high, sharply scarped table-topped hills.

434 1853.  O. Byrne, Artisan’s Handbk., 63. A miniature lathe-head mounted on a wooden *table-tree.

435 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.

436 1594.  Plat, Jewell-ho., 14. One masse, whereof they make our drinking Glasses, and all sortes of *Table-vessell.

437 1895.  Westm. Gaz., 23 Oct., 5/2. The Rosbach *table-water, a fresh sparkling table-water.

438 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.

439 1771.  Luckombe, Hist. Print., 272. Divisions are used instead of rules, in *Table-work of narrow Columns.

440 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.

441 1879.  [see TABULAR 2 c].

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