The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Tableau \Ta`bleau"\ (t[.a]`bl[=o]" E. t[a^]b"l[=o]`; 277), n.;
   pl. Tableaux (t[.a]`bl[=o]" E. t[a^]b"l[=o]z`). [F., dim.
   fr. L. tabula a painting. See Table.]
   1. A striking and vivid representation; a picture.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A representation of some scene by means of persons grouped
      in the proper manner, placed in appropriate postures, and
      remaining silent and motionless.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Solitaire) The arrangement, or layout, of cards.
      [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

tableau
    n 1: a group of people attractively arranged (as if in a
         painting) [syn: tableau, tableau vivant]
    2: any dramatic scene