Bench of Bishops

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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