bench

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English benc; akin to Old High German bank bench Date: before 12th century 1. a. a long seat for two or more persons b. a thwart in a boat c. (1) a seat on which the members of an athletic team await a turn or opportunity to play (2) the reserve players on a team; broadly a reserve force 2. a. the seat where a judge sits in court b. the place where justice is administered ; court c. the office or dignity of a judge <

sat on the bench for 20 years

> d. the persons who sit as judges 3. a. the office or dignity of an official b. a seat for an official c. the officials occupying a bench 4. a. a long worktable; also laboratory <

bench chemist

> <

bench test

> b. a table forming part of a machine 5. terrace, shelf: as a. a former wave-cut shore of a sea or lake or floodplain of a river b. a shelf or ridge formed in working an open excavation on more than one level 6. a compartmented platform on which dogs or cats are kept at a show when not being judged II. verb Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. to furnish with benches 2. a. to seat on a bench b. (1) to remove from or keep out of a game; broadly to remove from use or from a position (2) to remove from the starting lineup 3. to exhibit (dogs or cats) to the public on a bench 4. to lift (a weight) in a bench press <

bench 200 pounds

> intransitive verb to form a bench by natural processes