A long seat, usually of board or plank, differing from a stool in its greater length.

The seat where judges sit in court; the seat of justice. Hence,

The persons who sit as judges; the court. Free bench, in England, the estate in copy hold lands, which the wife, being espoused a virgin, has for her dower, after the decease of her husband. This is various in different manors, according to their respective customs. King’s Bench, in England, a court in which the king formerly sat in person, and which accompanied his household. The court consists of the Lord Chief Justice, and three other justices, who have jurisdiction over all matters of a criminal or public nature. It has a crown side and a plea side; the former determining criminal, the latter, civil causes.

To furnish with benches.

To seat on a bench.

v.i. To sit on a seat of justice.