ETYM Old Eng. bench, benk, AS. benc; akin to Swed. bänk, Dan baenk, Icel. bekkr, OS., Dutch, and German bank. Related to Bank, Beach.
(Irregular plural: benches).
1. A long seat for more than one person.
2. The seat on which reserve players sit during a game.

ETYM as. staepe. Related to Step.
(Homonym: steppe).
1. A place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway; SYN. stair.
2. A short distance.
3. The act of changing location by raising the foot and setting it down.