tableau

Where does the word "tableau" come from? It comes from Latin tabula, passing through Old French and French before entering English (1690s).

Tableau’s story begins in Latin: tabula meant “a board, writing tablet.” A plain word for a flat board or writing tablet. By 1100s, the word had taken hold in Old French as table. Plus the diminutive suffix -eau, coined for a small painted panel. From there it passed into French as tableau by 1100s. Settled into the general word for a picture or painting. It reached English by 1690s as tableau. Borrowed for a vivid, picture-like scene or grouping of figures. Today, tableau means a vivid or graphic depiction of a scene, or a group of motionless figures representing one.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient tabula "a board, writing tablet", a plain word for a flat board or writing tablet.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · 1100s table "a slab; a small picture panel", plus the diminutive suffix -eau, coined for a small painted panel.
3. Stage 3 · French · 1100s tableau "a picture, painting", settled into the general word for a picture or painting.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1690s tableau "a vivid, picturesque scene or description", borrowed for a vivid, picture-like scene or grouping of figures.