noun
tableau
TA-bloh
noun
1
A vivid, striking scene or picture, especially one made up of a group of people or objects arranged as if for a painting.
"The wedding party froze in a tableau for the photographer."
"The museum exhibit recreated the battle as a life-sized tableau."
2
A table or grid of data, or a distinct scene or section within a play, opera, or ballet.
"The researcher built a tableau comparing results across ten trials."
How to Use Tableau
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA frozen, picture-like scene, or more loosely, an arranged display of something.
Common pairings
a striking tableau
frozen in a tableau
a tableau of
Word Forms
tableaux plural, tableaus plural
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The wedding party froze in a _____ for the photographer.
Etymology
From French tableau, going back to Old French tablel, meaning a flat surface used for painting.