high tables
Formal hall seating
High tables are the elevated or specially designated dining tables at the front of a hall, traditionally reserved for distinguished guests, faculty, or fellows at universities, particularly at Oxford and Cambridge.
The term evokes formal academic dining with its rituals and hierarchy: The new professors were invited to dine at high table.
By extension, high table suggests elite circles or privileged positions.
- elevatedRaised above usual level
- diningEating a meal
- furnitureMovable room objects
- gownsElegant full-length dresses
- Harry PotterFictional adolescent sorcerer
universities · scholars · banquet · grace before meals · formal dining · black tie · silver service · seated dinner · college traditions · chairs · halls · communal · fellowship hall · dons · faculties · platform · trenchers · tabletop