Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of 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. Mossy benches supplied the place of chairs. --Sir W. Scott. 2. A long table at which mechanics and other work; as, a carpenter's bench. 3. The seat where judges sit in court. To pluck down justice from your awful bench. --Shak. 4. The persons who sit as judges; the court; as, the opinion of the full bench. See {King's Bench}. 5. A collection or group of dogs exhibited to the public; -- so named because the animals are usually placed on benches or raised platforms. 6. A conformation like a bench; a long stretch of flat ground, or a kind of natural terrace, near a lake or river. {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. {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.
\Bench\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Benched}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Benching}.] 1. To furnish with benches. 'T was benched with turf. --Dryden. Stately theaters benched crescentwise. --Tennyson. 2. To place on a bench or seat of honor. Whom I . . . have benched and reared to worship. --Shak.
\Bench\, v. i. To sit on a seat of justice. [R.] --Shak.