Definition of
Tableau
- (noun, cognition) any dramatic scene
- (noun, group) a group of people attractively arranged (as if in a painting)
via WordNet, Princeton University
Synonyms of Tableau
Origin of the word Tableau
- 1699, "a picturesque or graphic description or picture," from Fr. tableau "picture, painting," from O.Fr. table "slab, writing tablet" (see table) + dim. suffix -eau, from L. -ellus. Hence tableau-vivant (1817) "person or persons silent and motionless, enacting a well-known scene, incident, painting, etc.," popular 19c. parlor game, lit. "livi more
via Online Etymology Dictionary, ©2001 Douglas Harper