table
table
UK[ˈteɪb(ə)l]US[ˈteɪb(ə)l]
n
A piece of furniture with a flat top and one or more legs, used for eating, writing, or working on.
n
A set of facts or figures displayed in rows and columns.
v
To formally present something for discussion or consideration at a meeting.
Etymology
The word 'table' has a journey that illustrates the abstraction of a simple physical object. It originates from Latin 'tabula', denoting a flat board or plank, which could be used for writing, gaming, or as a surface. Through Old French, the term entered English, retaining its core sense of a flat surface but expanding its application. The logical evolution saw this concrete meaning of a physical slab extend metaphorically to any systematic, flat arrangement, such as a list or a grid of data, and further to the act of placing such an item before a group for discussion.
Analysis
This is a simplex word. It entered English as a loanword from Old French 'table', which derived from Latin 'tabula' meaning a board, plank, flat piece, or list. The Latin term is of uncertain deeper origin, possibly from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to be firm'.
Examples
We gathered around the kitchen table for dinner.
The book includes a table of contents for easy reference.
The committee decided to table the motion until the next meeting.