tableau
UK: ˈtæbləʊ | US: tæˈbloʊ
n. a vivid or graphic description or representation
n. a stationary scene in a play or movie created by actors holding a pose
n. a chart or diagram for visual analysis of data
The word "tableau" originates from French, where it literally means "picture" or "board." It derives from the Old French "table" (board, plank), which in turn comes from the Latin "tabula" (a flat piece, tablet, or writing surface). The suffix "-au" is a French masculine ending, often used to form nouns. Over time, "tableau" evolved in English to describe vivid visual representations, whether artistic, theatrical, or analytical, retaining its connection to the idea of a "surface" for display.
The artist created a stunning tableau of a medieval battle.
The actors froze in a dramatic tableau at the end of the scene.
The data analyst presented the findings using a colorful tableau.
The museum exhibit featured a tableau of life in ancient Rome.
Her vivid description painted a mental tableau of the sunset over the ocean.