Definition of "tableau" in English

noun

1. A striking and vivid representation or scene; a picture.

2. A vivid graphic scene of a group of people or objects arranged as in a painting or bas relief sculpture.

3. (UK, dated, by extension) An arrangement of actors in static positions on stage, having the effect of pointing up a particular moment in the drama, conventionally revealed by opening tableau curtains (known as "tabs").

4. (mathematics) A two-dimensional array or table of data, usually numbers, of various specific kinds.

5. (linguistics, optimality theory) A table that shows constraint violations of a list of candidates given an input and a constraint ranking.

6. (card games) Mostly in solitaire card games, but also in other card and board games, the main area, where random cards can be arranged.

7. (logic) A semantic tableau.

8. (theater) A unit of a play, an opera, or a ballet with change of stage setting.