pew
pronunciation
How to pronounce pew in British English:
UK [pju:]
How to pronounce pew in American English:
US [pju]
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- Noun:
- long bench with backs; used in church by the congregation
Word Origin
- pew
- pew: [14] Historically, pew and podium are the same word. Both go back ultimately to Greek pódion ‘small foot, base’, a diminutive form of poús ‘foot’ (a distant relative of English foot). This passed into Latin as podium ‘raised place, balcony’, acquired directly by English as podium [18]. Its plural podia passed into English via Old French puie ‘raised seat, balcony’ as pew.This was originally used for a sort of raised enclosure in a church, court, etc. rather like a pulpit or dock; then for an enclosure in a church set aside for particular people to sit in (now known as a box pew); and finally (in the 17th century) for a church bench.=> foot, pedal, podium
- pew (n.)
- late 14c., "raised, enclosed seat for certain worshippers" (ladies, important men, etc.), from Old French puie, puy "balcony, elevation," from Latin podia, plural of podium "elevated place," also "balcony in a Roman theater" (see podium). Meaning "fixed bench with a back, for a number of worshippers" is attested from 1630s.
Example
- 1. I had an epiphany while sitting in the pew that day .
- 2. Despite its novelty , the pew is often the last seat chosen by guests , mr. jensen notes .
- 3. Despite the church 's opposition to homosexuality , a 2010 pew forum poll found that more american catholics favour than oppose gay marriage .