n.
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Old Italian; Middle French banque, from Old Italian banca, literally, bench, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English benc
Date: 15th century
1 a : an establishment for the custody, loan, exchange, or issue of money, for the extension of credit, and for facilitating the transmission of funds b obsolete : the table, counter, or place of business of a money changer
2 : a person conducting a gambling house or game specifically : DEALER
3 : a supply of something held in reserve: as a : the fund of supplies (as money, chips, or pieces) held by the banker or dealer for use in a game b : a fund of pieces belonging to a game (as dominoes) from which the players draw
4 : a place where something is held available <memory bank s > especially : a depot for the collection and storage of a biological product <a blood bank >