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drafting table

drafting table

1 4.2
A large table with an adjustable top that you use for drawing plans
  • noun
  • /ˈdræftɪŋ ˈteɪbəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : mesa de dibujo
  • The architect adjusted the height of her drafting table to get a better angle for her work.
  • sitting at the drafting table
  • standing at the drafting table

OK, one was my drafting table and desk where I drew all the time.

Examples

  • Back in the office, they would have to hand-plot these readings on a drafting table.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Whale stands at a drafting table, sharpening a pencil.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Two large drafting tables were set up against one wall.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Owen looked back at his drafting table.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • A large sheet of graph paper is whipped down on top of a drafting table.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Every morning, when you go there, you enter a big room with three glass-topped drafting tables along one wall, a fourth on the opposite side.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Are you still liking this drafting table, kiddo?

  • The foreman is at one end, his thick body bent over a makeshift drafting table, studying prints.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Conway was sitting at his drafting table, stirring non-dairy creamer into his second cup of coffee of the day when Jackman called.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • In order to be actively involved and benefit from the program, the student needs a drafting table that adjusts to the height of the wheelchair or some other means of accessing computerized and drafting equipment.

    Academic text (2015)

Synonyms

table
vsdrafting table
1.0

A flat-topped piece of furniture with legs used for eating or working

is specialised large adjustable furniture used mainly for precise design work
tabletop
vsdrafting table
26 2.1

The flat top of a table where you put things

is the whole specialised adjustable furniture used for technical drawing
drawing board
vsdrafting table
5 3.1

A smooth flat board you put paper on to make pictures or plans

is bigger adjustable furniture used by designers and professionals
drawing table
vsdrafting table
1 3.6

A table with a surface that can be tilted for drawing

is larger furniture with adjustable top for architects and engineers
writing table
vsdrafting table
1 3.3

A desk with a flat top used for writing and often with drawers

is larger adjustable furniture made for technical drawing and design work
drafting board
vsdrafting table
  • Specialized
5.1

A smooth flat board that people use for drawing building plans

is larger adjustable furniture used by architects and engineers

How Adjustable

drafting table
  • Specialized
1 4.2
desk
1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

drafting + table

The meaning is directly compositional: 'drafting' (the activity of producing technical plans) + 'table' (a work surface) yields a table used for drafting. This noun–noun combination follows ordinary English compounding patterns and is cross-linguistically predictable, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The noun drafting table comes from the special table used by people who draw building plans. The word drafting means 'drawing plans' and the tilting table helped make straight, careful lines, so the phrase now means 'a large table with an adjustable top'.