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.

BENCH
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.

BENCH
Bench, v. i.

Defn: To sit on a seat of justice. [R.] Shak.

BENCHER
Bench"er, n.

1. (Eng. Law)

Defn: One of the senior and governing members of an Inn of Court.

2. An alderman of a corporation. [Eng.] Ashmole.