pembroke table
Definition
Noun: - A specific type of drop-leaf table: A "pembroke table" is a small, portable table with two leaves that can be raised and supported by brackets, allowing the tabletop to be expanded or folded down for storage. It typically has drawers or a shelf and was popular in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
Usage Examples
- (A small table with folding leaves used for writing or serving.)
- (A compact, versatile table with drop leaves.)
Advanced Usage
- "Pembroke table" as a design term: In furniture history, the term refers specifically to a table style named after the Earl of Pembroke, characterized by its lightweight construction and practical expandability.
- The restoration of the Georgian-era pembroke table required careful matching of the mahogany veneer. (Refers to a historic, often valuable, piece of furniture.)
Variants and Related Words
- Drop-leaf table (n): a broader category of tables with hinged leaves that can be lowered or raised, of which the pembroke table is a specific subtype.
- A drop-leaf table can be placed against a wall, but a pembroke table usually stands in the center of a room. (A general term for tables with folding leaves.)
Synonyms
- Folding table: a table with a top that can be made smaller by folding it.
- Gate-leg table: a similar drop-leaf table with legs that swing out to support the leaves (sometimes used interchangeably, though technically distinct).
Related Idioms
- There are no common idioms specifically involving "pembroke table," as it is a specialized furniture term. However, in antique dealing, one might say:
- "A fine pembroke table": a phrase used to denote a well-preserved or high-quality example of this table style.
- The auction catalog listed a fine pembroke table from the Chippendale period. (A compliment to the piece's craftsmanship and condition.)
Notes
- Etymology: The table is named after the Earl of Pembroke, a title associated with the Herbert family, who were patrons of furniture design in 18th-century England.
- Distinctive features: Unlike other drop-leaf tables, a pembroke table is typically smaller, with a rectangular top when fully extended, and often has a single drawer or a small shelf beneath the table surface.