tablet
UK/'tæblit/US
IELTSB1
Definitions
n.
A flat slab inscribed or used for writing.
（刻字的）石板，板
n.
A small solid pill of medicine.
药片
n.
A flat, portable touchscreen computer.
平板电脑
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedtabl (board) + -et (small) = 'a little flat board.' That one image of a small flat slab explains all three senses: a stone tablet, a pill (small flat disc), and a tablet computer (flat screen).
Root tab still carries 7 more wordsWhy It Means This
The thread linking stone, pill, and computer is the shape: a small flat slab. tablet is literally the diminutive of table ('little board'), so each new technology that was small and flat simply borrowed the word — first the pressed-medicine disc, then the touchscreen device.
Common Collocations
- 1.take a tablet服药片
- 2.stone tablet石碑
- 3.tablet computer平板电脑
- 4.sleeping tablet安眠药片
Example Sentences
- 1.
Ancient laws were carved onto stone tablets.
- 2.
Take one tablet twice a day after meals.
- 3.
She reads the news on her tablet every morning.