fence the tables

In early, now limited, Scottish usage, to debar the unworthy from taking communion

mend one's fences

To improve or restore one's relations, reputation or popularity, esp in politics (fenceˈ-mending noun and adjective)

sit on the fence

1. To avoid committing oneself
2. To remain neutral

sunk fence

A ditch or watercourse

table /tāˈbl/

noun

1. An article of furniture consisting of a flat top on legs, a pillar or trestles, for use at meals, work, play, for holding things, etc (often in combination, as in worktable, gaming-table, etc)
2. A flat surface, such as a plateau
3. A slab or board
4. A layer
5. A compact scheme of numerical information, words, facts, etc, usu in columns
6. (in pl) a collection of these for reference
7. A syllabus or index
8. A condensed statement
9. A slab with or for an inscription
10. A slab inscribed with laws
11. (in pl) a code of law (eg the Twelve Tables of ancient Rome)
12. A writing tablet (esp in the obsolete phrase a pair of tables)
13. Supply of food, entertainment
14. The company at a table
15. The soundboard of a violin, guitar or similar instrument
16. A string-course (architecture)
17. A panel
18. A board for painting on
19. A picture
20. A broad flat surface on a cut gem
21. A tabular crystal
22. A board for a game, eg chess
23. Each half of a folding board
24. (in pl) a backgammon board, or the game itself (obsolete)
25. A quadrangular space on the palm of the hand (Shakespeare)
26. A flat gravestone supported on pillars
27. A board or committee
28. A dispensing of the communion
29. A projecting part of a scarfed joint

adjective

Of, for, like or relating to a table or meals

transitive verb

1. To put forward (a bill, order, proposal, etc) for discussion in parliament or some formal meeting
2. To postpone discussion of (a bill, etc) for some time or indefinitely (N American)
3. To tabulate
4. To lay on the table
5. To pay down
6. To board

intransitive verb

To board

tabled /tāˈbld/ adjective

1. Flat-topped
2. Having a smooth sloping surface of dressed stone
3. Having a table or tables

taˈbleful noun

As much as a table will hold

taˈblewise adjective and adverb

1. In the form or in the manner of a table
2. (of the communion table) not altarwise

taˈbling noun

1. Tabulation
2. The presenting of a bill, order, proposal, etc for discussion
3. Playing at tables or backgammon
4. Board
5. Provision of tables
6. Scarfing
7. A broad hem on the skirt of a sail to reinforce it

table beer noun

Light beer for common use

table book noun

1. A book of writing tablets, memorandum book or notebook
2. An ornamental book intended to lie on a table
3. A book of tables

taˈblecloth noun

A cloth for covering a table, esp at meals

table cover noun

A cloth for covering a table, esp at other than meal-times

taˈble-cut adjective

(of gems) cut with a flat top

taˈble-dancer noun

A striptease dancer who performs on a table in front of individual clients at a club

taˈble-dancing noun

table d'hôte /tä-bl’-dōt/ noun (pl tables d'hôte /tä-bl’-dōt/)

(Fr, host's table) a meal at a fixed price (as at a hotel)

adjective

(of a meal) charged at a fixed price

table football noun

A version of football played on a table with small metal, etc players usu suspended on rods, which are turned and spun to strike the ball

table game noun

A board game

table knife noun

A knife for cutting one's meat, etc with at the table

taˈbleland noun

1. An extensive region of elevated land with a flat or undulating surface
2. A plateau

table leaf noun

An extension to a table top, hinged, drawn out or inserted

table licence noun

A licence to serve alcoholic drinks with meals only

table linen noun

Linen tablecloths, napkins, etc

table maid noun

A woman who sets the table and waits

table manners plural noun

Social behaviour at the table during meals

table mat noun

A mat placed under dishes on a table

table money noun

1. An allowance (esp in the services) for official entertainment
2. A restaurateur's euphemism for cover-charge

table music noun

Music in parts that can be read by performers at each side of a table

table napkin noun

A cloth (or paper substitute) used during a meal to protect the clothes and to wipe fingers and lips

taˈble-rapping noun

Knocking or tapping sounds on a table, attributed by spiritualists to the spirits of the dead attempting to communicate with the living

table salt noun

Fine salt suitable for adding as a seasoning to food

table skittles singular noun

A game in which a suspended ball is swung to knock down pegs set up on a board

taˈblespoon noun

One of the largest spoons used for measuring and serving food

taˈblespoonful noun (pl taˈblespoonfuls)

As much as will fill a tablespoon

taˈble-sport noun (Shakespeare)

The butt of the company at table

table talk noun

Familiar conversation, as at the table, during and after meals

table tennis noun

A game like lawn tennis played on a table using hollow balls of Celluloid or similar light material

table top noun

1. The top of a table
2. A flat top
3. A piece of equipment small or portable enough to be used on a table, desk, etc

taˈble-topped adjective

taˈble-turning noun

1. Movements of tables (or other objects) attributed by spiritualists to the agency of spirits, and by the sceptical to collective involuntary muscular action
2. The practice of turning tables (see turn the tables below)

taˈbleware noun

Dishes, spoons, knives, forks, etc for table use

table water noun

A mineral water suitable for drinking with a meal

table wine noun

An ordinary wine usu drunk with a meal

taˈble-work noun (printing)

The setting of type for tables, columns of figures, etc

at table

At a meal

fence the tables see under fence

lay on the table

To table (a bill, etc; see vt above)

Lord's table see under lord

turn the tables

To bring about a complete reversal of circumstances, from the idea of players at backgammon changing sides

under the table

1. Not above-board, illicit
2. Hopelessly drunk (informal)