from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Pew \Pew\ (p[=u]), n. [OE. pewe, OF. puie parapet, balustrade,
balcony, fr. L. podium an elevated place, a jutty, balcony, a
parapet or balcony in the circus, where the emperor and other
distinguished persons sat, Gr. po`dion, dim. of poy`s,
podo`s, foot; -- hence the Latin sense of a raised place
(orig. as a rest or support for the foot). See {Foot}, and
cf. {Podium}, {Poy}.]
1. One of the compartments in a church which are separated by
low partitions, and have long seats upon which several
persons may sit; -- sometimes called {slip}. Pews were
originally made square, but are now usually long and
narrow.
[1913 Webster]
2. Any structure shaped like a church pew, as a stall,
formerly used by money lenders, etc.; a box in theater; a
pen; a sheepfold. [Obs.] --Pepys. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
{Pew opener}, an usher in a church. [Eng.] --Dickens.
[1913 Webster]