[bench] n [ME, fr. OE benc; akin to OHG bank bench] (bef. 12c) 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
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 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 "~ chemist" "~ 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
[2]bench vt (14c) 1: to furnish with benches
2. a: to seat on a bench b (1): to remove from or keep out of a game (2): to remove from the starting lineup
3: to exhibit (dogs or cats) to the public on a bench ~ vi: to form a bench by natural processes