tableau

American  

[ta-bloh, tab-loh] / tæˈbloʊ, ˈtæb loʊ /

noun

PLURAL

tableaux, tableaus

1. a picture, as of a scene.

2. a picturesque grouping of persons or objects; a striking scene.

3. a representation of a picture, statue, scene, etc., by one or more persons suitably costumed and posed.

4. Solitaire. the portion of a layout to which one may add cards according to suit or denomination.

---

tableau British  

/ ˈtæbləʊ /

noun

1. See tableau vivant

2. a pause during or at the end of a scene on stage when all the performers briefly freeze in position

3. any dramatic group or scene

4. logic short for semantic tableau

---

Etymology

Origin of tableau

First recorded in 1690–1700; from French: “board, picture,” Middle French tablel, diminutive of table table

Example Sentences

The author seems to trust that a coherent narrative will emerge, without the help of analytical threads, from a jumble of facts, tableaux, faces and innumerable quotes.

From The Wall Street Journal

We’ve built up this idea that hosting must be an achievement, a spectacle, a tableau of labor: no shortcuts, no store-bought, no leaning on anyone.

From Salon

Thanks, baseball, for creating the tableau for the Dodgers’ 13 most memorable playoff moments, one for every win, one for every scream, one for every occasion when you thought it couldn’t get any crazier.

From Los Angeles Times

The overeager holiday helper — that perennial character in the Thanksgiving tableau.

From Salon

It can all seem so flawless in that golden moment before the guests arrive, though the presence of actual people quickly complicates any Thanksgiving tableau.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• illustration
• spectacle