◙ noun 1. a piece of furniture with a flat top and one or more legs, providing a level surface on which objects may be placed, and which can be used for such purposes as eating, writing, working, or playing games • 桌子 [in sing.] food provided in a restaurant or household • 一桌酒席，饭菜 »he was reputed to have the finest French table of the time. 他当时做的法国菜技压群雄，享有盛誉。 a group seated at table for a meal • （吃饭的）一桌人 »the whole table was in gales of laughter. 一桌人发出阵阵笑声。 (the table)a meeting place for formal discussions held to settle an issue or dispute • 谈判桌 »the negotiating table. 谈判桌。 [in sing.] [Bridge] the dummy hand (which is exposed on the table) • [桥牌] 明手；明家 2. a set of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns • 列表，一览表，表格 a list of rivals or competitors showing their positions relative to one another; a league table • 成绩对照表，名次表；联赛成绩记录及名次表 (tables)multiplication tables • 乘法表 »children at the school have spelling tests and learn their tables. 孩子们在学校要进行拼写测验，并学习乘法表。 [Computing] a collection of data stored in memory as a series of records, each defined by a unique key stored with it • [计算机] 模拟运算表 3. a flat surface, in particular • 平面，尤指 [Architecture] a flat, typically rectangular, vertical surface • [建筑] 檐板 a horizontal moulding, especially a cornice • 水平模制（尤指檐口） a slab of wood or stone bearing an inscription • 木匾；石碑 a flat surface of a gem • （宝石的）切平面 a cut gem with two flat faces • 有双切平面的宝石 each half or quarter of a folding board for backgammon • （巴加门15子棋可折叠的半面或四分之一的）棋盘 ◙ verb, [with obj.] 1. [Brit.] present formally for discussion or consideration at a meeting • [英] 正式提交讨论 »an MP tabled an amendment to the bill. 一名议员提交了一项议案的修正案以供讨论。 2. (chiefly US)postpone consideration of • [主美] 暂缓考虑 »I'd like the issue to be tabled for the next few months. 我希望在接下来的几个月暂不考虑这件事情。 3. [Sailing] strengthen (a sail) by making a hem at the edge • [航海] 用宽贴边加固（帆）
【IDIOMS】
◘ lay something on the table 1. make something known so that it can be freely and sensibly discussed • 摆在桌面上讨论 2. (chiefly US)postpone something indefinitely • [主美] 无定期地搁置 ◘ on the table 1. offered for discussion • 被提交讨论 »our offer remains on the table. 我们的提议仍有待讨论。 ◘ turn the tables 1. reverse one's position relative to someone else, especially by turning a position of disadvantage into one of advantage • 扭转形势（尤指转不利为有利） ◘ under the table 1. [informal] used to show that someone is very drunk • [非正式] 烂醉的 »by 3.30 everybody was under the table. 到3.30的时候，所有的人都烂醉如泥了。 2. another term for under the counter (seecounter) • 同under the counter（见 counter）
【派生】
♦ tableful nounpl.-fuls
【语源】
1. Old English tabule 'flat slab, inscribed tablet', from Latin tabula 'plank, tablet, list'. reinforced in Middle English by Old French table