What is "bench of bishops"

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.]

1. A spiritual overseer, superintendent, or director.

   Ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
   --1 Pet. ii. 25.

   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.

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.

   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.

3. In the Methodist Episcopal and some other churches, one of the highest church officers or superintendents.

4. A piece used in the game of chess, bearing a representation of a bishop's miter; -- formerly called archer.

5. A beverage, being a mixture of wine, oranges or lemons, and sugar.
   --Swift.

6. An old name for a woman's bustle. [U. S.]

   If, by her bishop, or her ``grace'' alone, A genuine lady, or a church, is known.
   --Saxe.

Bench \Bench\, n.; pl. Benches. [OE. bench, benk, AS. benc; akin to Sw. b["a]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.

   Mossy benches supplied the place of chairs.
   --Sir W. Scott.

2. A long table at which mechanics and other work; as, a carpenter's bench.

3. The seat where judges sit in court.

   To pluck down justice from your awful bench.
   --Shak.

4. The persons who sit as judges; the court; as, the opinion of the full bench. See King's Bench.

5. A collection or group of dogs exhibited to the public; -- so named because the animals are usually placed on benches or raised platforms.

6. A conformation like a bench; a long stretch of flat ground, or a kind of natural terrace, near a lake or river.

   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.