At The Table and At Table
The difference between at the table and at table is that the former merely denotes place (for whatever purpose), whereas the latter refers specifically to a meal. The chief constructions are be at table, be seated at table, rise from table, serve at table, and wait at table. (Cf. table manners.)
-Last Wednesday night, while we were at supper…I heard an unusual noise in the kitchen…I was just going to rise from table, when it ceased.
-From a letter of William
Cowper
-Note the expression ‘turn the table on someone’,i.e. retaliate; get one’s own back.
