E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Benchers.
Senior members of the Inns of Court; so called from the bench on which they used to sit. They exercise the function of calling students to the bar, and have the right of expelling the obnoxious. (See BAR, page 94, col. 1.)
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“He was made successively Barrister, Utter Barrister, Bencher, and Reader.”—Wood.
