tableau.html - n.
(pl. tableaux)
1 a picturesque presentation.
2 = TABLEAU VIVANT.
3 a dramatic or effective situation suddenly brought about.

tableau curtains Theatr. a pair of curtains drawn open by a diagonal cord. [F, = picture, dimin. of table: see TABLE]

tableau.html - n.
(pl. tableaux vivants pronunc. same) Theatr. a silent and motionless group of people arranged to represent a scene. [F, lit. 'living picture']

tableau.html - See: AT THE TABLE or AT TABLE, COFFEE TABLE, PUT ONE'S CARDS ON THE TABLE or LAY ONE'S CARDS ON THE TABLE, TURN THE TABLES, WAIT AT TABLE or WAIT ON TABLE.

tableau.html - noun
(Science and Technology ) In computing, a flat rectangular plate or pad over which a stylus or mouse is moved to input graphics or alter the position of the cursor on a VDU screen. Etymology: A specialized use of tablet in its original meaning of 'a small, flat, and comparatively thin piece of hard material fashioned for a particular purpose'. History and Usage: The tablet, which essentially digitizes information about the position of the stylus or mouse, was developed by the Rand corporation in the US in the mid sixties. At first it was used mainly for inputting graphic images, using a stylus which could be moved around on the tablet like a pen on a pad of paper, the resulting 'lines' being instantly translated into images on the VDU screen. With the boom in personal computing and the increasing popularity of WIMPS (see WIMPÜ ) in the eighties, the tablet reached a wider market of users and became a commonplace piece of computing equipment. The tablet is often known more fully as a data tablet, electronic tablet, etc.; one designed for use with the fingers instead of a stylus or mouse is a touch-tablet (or touchpad). A graphics tablet allowing sophisticated computer graphics facilities to be added at low cost to a wide variety of microcomputers has just been announced. Computing Equipment Sept. 1985, p.
16 To get the most out of drawing options, I strongly recommend the use of a mouse, joystick or touch-tablet. Personal Computer World Nov. 1986, p. 191

tableau.html - n. & v.
--n.

1 a piece of furniture with a flat top and one or more legs, providing a level surface for eating, writing, or working at, playing games on, etc.
2 a flat surface serving a specified purpose (altar table; bird table).
3 a food provided in a household (keeps a good table). b a group seated at table for dinner etc.
4 a a set of facts or figures systematically displayed, esp. in columns (a table of contents). b matter contained in this. c = multiplication table.
5 a flat surface for working on or for machinery to operate on.
6 a a slab of wood or stone etc. for bearing an inscription. b matter inscribed on this.
7 = TABLELAND.
8 Archit. a a flat usu. rectangular vertical surface. b a horizontal moulding, esp. a cornice.
9 a a flat surface of a gem. b a cut gem with two flat faces.
10 each half or quarter of a folding board for backgammon.
11 (prec. by the) Bridge the dummy hand.

--v.

tr.
1 bring forward for discussion or consideration at a meeting.
2 postpone consideration of (a matter).
3 Naut. strengthen (a sail) with a wide hem.

at table taking a meal at a table. lay on the table 1 submit for discussion.
2 postpone indefinitely. on the table offered for discussion. table knife a knife for use at meals, esp. in eating a main course. table licence a licence to serve alcoholic drinks only with meals. table linen tablecloths, napkins, etc. table manners decorum or correct behaviour while eating at table. table-mat a mat for protecting a tabletop from hot dishes, etc. table salt salt that is powdered or easy to powder for use at meals. table talk miscellaneous informal talk at table. table tennis an indoor game based on lawn tennis, played with small bats and a ball bounced on a table divided by a net. table wine ordinary wine for drinking with a meal. turn the tables (often foll. by on) reverse one's relations (with), esp. by turning an inferior into a superior position (orig. in backgammon). under the table colloq. drunken after a meal.

tableful n. (pl. -fuls). tabling n. [ME f. OF f. L tabula plank, tablet, list]

tableau.html - n.
a meal consisting of a set menu at a fixed price, esp. in a hotel (cf. ° LA CARTE). [F, = host's table]