sofa table

sofa table (plural sofa tables)

1. A long, narrow, waist-high table intended to be placed behind or in front of a sofa, used to hold lamps, reading materials, etc.^[1] [from late 18^th century.]
   • 1808, Sarah Burney, “Letter 1”, in Geraldine Fauconberg‎^[2], volume 3, page 2:

     […] Mrs. Everley unexpectedly entered the drawing-room with her work-bag upon her arm, and declared she was come to spend a neighbourly and notable evening with us. We extremely applauded the design; gave her the most honourable place near the fire; drew forward a sofa-table, and, armed with thimbles and resolution, seated ourselves in due order, prepared to play the indefatigable housewives.

   • 1865, Anthony Trollope, chapter 19, in Can You Forgive Her?‎^[3], page 85:

     Mr. Cheesacre, when he saw the array [of food] on the long sofa-table, knew that he was to prepare himself for some resistance;

   • 1965, John Fowles, chapter 72, in The Magus‎^[4], page 555:

     I turned away from her; went to the sofa table, stared down at the photos there.