- Bench of bishops
- Bench Bench, n.; pl. {Benches}. [OE. bench, benk, AS. benc;
akin to Sw. b["a]nk, Dan b[ae]nk, Icel. bekkr, OS., D., & G.
bank. Cf. {Bank}, {Beach}.]
1. A long seat, differing from a stool in its greater length.
[1913 Webster]
Mossy benches supplied the place of chairs. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]
2. A long table at which mechanics and other work; as, a carpenter's bench. [1913 Webster]
3. The seat where judges sit in court. [1913 Webster]
To pluck down justice from your awful bench. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
4. The persons who sit as judges; the court; as, the opinion of the full bench. See {King's Bench}. [1913 Webster]
5. A collection or group of dogs exhibited to the public; -- so named because the animals are usually placed on benches or raised platforms. [1913 Webster]
6. A conformation like a bench; a long stretch of flat ground, or a kind of natural terrace, near a lake or river. [1913 Webster]
{Bench mark} (Leveling), one of a number of marks along a line of survey, affixed to permanent objects, to show where leveling staffs were placed. See {bench mark} in the vocabulary.
{Bench of bishops}, the whole body of English prelates assembled in council.
{Bench plane}, any plane used by carpenters and joiners for working a flat surface, as jack planes, long planes.
{Bench show}, an exhibition of dogs.
{Bench table} (Arch.), a projecting course at the base of a building, or round a pillar, sufficient to form a seat. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
