pew

pew
/pyooh/, n.
1. (in a church) one of a number of fixed, benchlike seats with backs, accessible by aisles, for the use of the congregation.
2. an enclosed seat in a church, or an enclosure with seats, usually reserved for a family or other group of worshipers.
3. those occupying pews; congregation.
[1350-1400; ME puwe < MF puie balcony < L podia, pl. (taken as sing.) of podium balcony. See PODIUM]

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      originally a raised and enclosed place in a church designed for an ecclesiastical dignitary or officer; the meaning was later extended to include special seating in the body of the church for distinguished laity and, finally, to include all church seating. In its early stages, the pew was meant for standing in and was close in conception to a pulpit; but in its second phase of development, it became an elaborate wooden structure, shut off from the main body of the nave, with seats, prayer benches, and other accessories. Such pews were owned by individuals or institutions and appeared both in wills and in legal actions.

      In its final and more generalized context, a pew consisted of a long, backed oak or pine bench with a hinged or fixed kneeling board. The upright ends were squared off or terminated in a finial or other carved ornament. The use of this type of seating in modern churches is almost universal.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • pew — If the Situation around you stinks, it is Pew. Mom/Dad: No, you Can t go to your friend s house. You: Oh, this is pew …   Dictionary of american slang

  • pew — If the Situation around you stinks, it is Pew. Mom/Dad: No, you Can t go to your friend s house. You: Oh, this is pew …   Dictionary of american slang

  • Pew — Pew, v. t. To furnish with pews. [R.] Ash. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • pew — late 14c., raised, enclosed seat for certain worshippers (ladies, important men, etc.), from O.Fr. puie, puy balcony, elevation, from L. podia, pl. of podium elevated place, also balcony in a Roman theater (see PODIUM (Cf. podium)). Meaning fixed …   Etymology dictionary

  • pew — ► NOUN 1) (in a church) a long bench with a back. 2) Brit. informal a seat. ORIGIN originally denoting a raised, enclosed place for particular worshippers: from Old French puye balcony , from Latin podium elevated place …   English terms dictionary

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  • Pew — A pew is a long bench used for seating members of a church s congregation.Churches were not commonly furnished with permanent pews before the coming of the Protestant Reformation. The rise of the sermon as a central act of Christian worship,… …   Wikipedia

  • pew — pew1 [ pju ] noun count a long wooden seat in a church take a pew BRITISH SPOKEN used for telling someone in a friendly way to sit down with you pew pew 2 [ pju ] interjection AMERICAN SPOKEN used for saying you smell something unpleasant …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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