Bench \Bench\, n.; pl. Benches. [OE. bench, benk, AS. benc;
   akin to Sw. b[aum]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.
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            Mossy benches supplied the place of chairs. --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.
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   2. A long table at which mechanics and other work; as, a
      carpenter's bench.
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   3. The seat where judges sit in court.
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            To pluck down justice from your awful bench. --Shak.
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   4. The persons who sit as judges; the court; as, the opinion
      of the full bench. See King's Bench.
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   5. A collection or group of dogs exhibited to the public; --
      so named because the animals are usually placed on benches
      or raised platforms.
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   6. A conformation like a bench; a long stretch of flat
      ground, or a kind of natural terrace, near a lake or
      river.
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   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. See bench mark in the
      vocabulary.

   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.
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Bishop \Bish"op\, n. [OE. bischop, biscop, bisceop, AS. bisceop,
   biscop, L. episcopus overseer, superintendent, bishop, fr.
   Gr. ?, ? over + ? inspector, fr. root of ?, ?, to look to,
   perh. akin to L. specere to look at. See Spy, and cf.
   Episcopal.]
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   1. A spiritual overseer, superintendent, or director.
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            Ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned
            unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. --1 Pet.
                                                  ii. 25.
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            It is a fact now generally recognized by theologians
            of all shades of opinion, that in the language of
            the New Testament the same officer in the church is
            called indifferently "bishop" ( ? ) and "elder" or
            "presbyter."                          --J. B.
                                                  Lightfoot.
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   2. In the Roman Catholic, Greek, and Anglican or Protestant
      Episcopal churches, one ordained to the highest order of
      the ministry, superior to the priesthood, and generally
      claiming to be a successor of the Apostles. The bishop is
      usually the spiritual head or ruler of a diocese,
      bishopric, or see.
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   Bishop in partibus [infidelium] (R. C. Ch.), a bishop of a
      see which does not actually exist; one who has the office
      of bishop, without especial jurisdiction. --Shipley.

   Titular bishop (R. C. Ch.), a term officially substituted
      in 1882 for bishop in partibus.

   Bench of Bishops. See under Bench.
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   3. In the Methodist Episcopal and some other churches, one of
      the highest church officers or superintendents.
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   4. A piece used in the game of chess, bearing a
      representation of a bishop's miter; -- formerly called
      archer.
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   5. A beverage, being a mixture of wine, oranges or lemons,
      and sugar. --Swift.
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   6. An old name for a woman's bustle. [U. S.]
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            If, by her bishop, or her "grace" alone,
            A genuine lady, or a church, is known. --Saxe.
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