Rusticated Table. In architecture, one which is picked, whose surface appears rough, as in grottoes.
Table. In literature, an index, a repertory, at the beginning or end of a book to direct the reader to any passage in it.
The Round Table. A table to distinguish military merit, which was first invented by king Arthur, who succeeded his father Uther Pendragon, king of the Britons, who was brother to Aurelius Ambrosius, and third son of Constantine. Arthur was the 11th king of England, from the departure of the Romans, and was crowned about the year 516.
Having expelled the Saxons out of England, conquered Norway, Scotland, and the greatest part of France, (where at Paris he was crowned) this monarch returned to his native country, and lived in so great renown, that many princes and knights came from all parts to his court, to give proof of their valor in the exercise of arms. Upon this he erected a fraternity of knights, which consisted of twenty-four, of whom he was the chief; and for the avoiding controversies about precedency, he caused a round table to be made, from whence they were denominated Knights of the Round Table. This table, according to tradition, hangs up in the castle at Winchester, where they used to meet at Whitsuntide.
Table de marbre, Fr. A marble table. During the monarchy of France, there were two courts of jurisdictions, which were called Tables de Marbre, or marble tables; one was that of the constable, and the Maréchaussée or police of France; and the other that which gave directions for the general clearing of the forests, and the purifying of stagnant waters. They are so called from the meeting being held round a large marble table.
TABLEAU, Fr. A description, a catalogue. It likewise signifies a chimney-piece.
TABLETTE, Fr. A flat thin stone, which is used to cover the outside of a wall belonging to a terrace, or the border of a bason, &c.
TABLIER, Fr. Apron. It likewise signifies an outside cover made for ornament, or to prevent any thing from being damaged by the weather. In the old French army the kettle drums had two of these aprons or covers; one made of damask or sattin, on which were embroidered the arms of the king, or of the general to whom they belonged, and the other of black leather.
Tablier de pont levis, Fr. That part of a draw-bridge, which is raised for the purpose of shutting a gate, and to prevent access to it, and upon which persons pass when the bridge is let down.
TABLOUINS, Fr. A word used in the artillery. The thick boards or planks that constitute the platform upon which cannon is mounted in battery.