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pew
[pyoo] 
| 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
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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| pew (pyōō) n.
[Middle English pewe, probably from Old French puie, balcony, from Latin podia, pl. of podium, balcony; see podium.] |
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Pew
Pew\, 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. ?, dim. of ?, ?, 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 Pews were originally made square, but are now usually long and narrow. 2.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. Pew opener, an usher in a church. [Eng.] --Dickens.Pew
Pew\, v. t. To furnish with pews. [R.] --Ash.Cite This Source
pew
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pew
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
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