1. [n]  a long seat for more than one person
2. [n]  a strong worktable for a carpenter or mechanic
3. [n]  persons who administer justice
4. [n]  the reserve players on a team; "our team has a strong bench"
5. [n]  the magistrate or judge or judges sitting in court in judicial capacity to compose the court collectively
6. [n]  a level shelf of land interrupting a declivity (with steep slopes above and below)
7. [v]  exhibit on a bench; of animals such as dogs at shows
8. [v]  take out of a game; of players

1. \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.
   

2. \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.
   

3. \Bench\, v. i.
   To sit on a seat of justice. [R.] --Shak.
   

deck of a Tyrian ship, described by Ezekiel (27:6) as overlaid with box-wood.