pew

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Pronunciation 1.2 Etymology 1 1.2.1 Noun 1.2.1.1 Translations 1.2.1.2 Derived terms 1.3 Etymology 2 1.3.1 Alternative spellings 1.3.2 Interjection 1.3.2.1 Translations 1.4 References 1.5 Anagrams

[edit] English

[edit] Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /pjuː/, SAMPA: /pju:/
• Rhymes: -uː

[edit] Etymology 1

From Middle English pewe, from Middle French puie (“‘balustrade’”), from Latin podia, plural of podium (“‘parapet, podium’”), from Ancient Greek πόδιον (podion), “‘little foot’”), from πούς (pous), “‘foot’”).

[edit] Noun

pew (plural pews)

1. One of the long benches in a church, seating several persons, usually fixed to the floor and facing the chancel.

   In many churches some pews are reserved for either clerical or liturgical officials such as canons, or for prominent families

2. An enclosed compartment in a church which provides seating for a group of people, often a prominent family.

   (A date for this quote is being sought): At St. Patrick’s Cathedral, firefighters in dress blues and white gloves escorted families to the pews for a memorial service, led by Mr. Bloomberg, to honor the 343 Fire Department employees killed on 9/11. — New York Times

[edit] Translations

[edit] Derived terms

• pew-opener

[edit] Etymology 2

Possibly from French putois (“‘skunk’”) or puer (“‘to stink’”) or a truncation of putrid.

[edit] Alternative spellings

• P U, P.U.
• peeyoo
• phew

[edit] Interjection

pew

1. An expression of disgust in response to an unpleasant odor.

[edit] Translations

[edit] References

• Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary, Springfield, Massachusetts, G.&C. Merriam Co., 1967

[edit] Anagrams

• Alphagram: epw
• WEP