BENCH

bench

(noun) a long seat for more than one person

bench

(noun) (law) the seat for judges in a courtroom

workbench, work bench, bench

(noun) a strong worktable for a carpenter or mechanic

judiciary, bench

(noun) persons who administer justice

bench

(noun) the reserve players on a team; “our team has a strong bench”

Bench

(noun) the magistrate or judge or judges sitting in court in judicial capacity to compose the court collectively

terrace, bench

(noun) a level shelf of land interrupting a declivity (with steep slopes above and below)

bench

(verb) exhibit on a bench; “bench the poodles at the dog show”

bench

(verb) take out of a game; of players

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology 1

Noun

bench (plural benches)

A long seat with or without a back, found for example in parks and schools.

(law) The people who decide on the verdict; the judiciary.

(law, figuratively) The place where the judges sit.

The dignity of holding an official seat.

(sports) The place where players (substitutes) and coaches sit when not playing.

(sports, figuratively) The number of players on a team able to participate, expressed in terms of length.

A place where assembly or hand work is performed; a workbench.

A horizontal padded surface, usually adjustable in height and inclination and often with attached weight rack, used for proper posture during exercise.

(surveying) A bracket used to mount land surveying equipment onto a stone or a wall.

A flat ledge in the slope of an earthwork, work of masonry, or similar.

(geology) A thin strip of relatively flat land bounded by steeper slopes above and below.

(UK, Australia, NZ) A kitchen surface on which to prepare food, a counter.

(UK, Australia, NZ) A bathroom surface which holds the washbasin, a vanity.

A collection or group of dogs exhibited to the public, traditionally on benches or raised platforms.

Verb

bench (third-person singular simple present benches, present participle benching, simple past and past participle benched)

(transitive, sports) To remove a player from play.

Synonym: sideline

(transitive, figuratively) To remove someone from a position of responsibility temporarily.

(slang) To push a person backward against a conspirator behind them who is on their hands and knees, causing them to fall over.

(transitive) To furnish with benches.

(transitive) To place on a bench or seat of honour.

Etymology 2

Verb

bench (third-person singular simple present benches, present participle benching, simple past and past participle benched)

(transitive and intransitive, colloquial) To lift by bench pressing

Noun

bench (plural benches)

(weightlifting) The weight one is able to bench press, especially the maximum weight capable of being pressed.

Etymology 3

Verb

bench (third-person singular simple present benches, present participle benching, simple past and past participle benched)

Alternative spelling of bentsh

Etymology

Proper noun

Bench (plural Benches)

A surname.

Statistics

• According to the 2010 United States Census, Bench is the 10565^th most common surname in the United States, belonging to 3033 individuals. Bench is most common among White (90.8%) individuals.

Source: Wiktionary

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Bench, n.; pl. Benches. Etym: [OE. bench, benk, AS. benc; akin to Sw. bänk, Dan bænk, 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.

Definition: To sit on a seat of justice. [R.] Shak.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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