tableau
noun /ˈtæbləʊ/
/ˈtæbləʊ/
(plural tableaux
/ˈtæbləʊ/, /ˈtæbləʊz/
/ˈtæbləʊ/, /ˈtæbləʊz/
)- a scene showing, for example, events and people from history, that is presented by a group of actors who do not move or speak
- The procession included a tableau of the Battle of Hastings.
- (figurative) She stood at the door observing the peaceful domestic tableau around the fire.
- a work of art, especially a set of statues, showing a group of people, animals, etc.Topics Artc2
Word Originlate 17th cent. (in the sense ‘picture’, figuratively ‘picturesque description’): from French, literally ‘picture’, diminutive of table, from Latin tabula ‘plank, tablet, list’.