banquette
/baŋˈkɛt/ noun
Forms banquettes
- noun (military) A narrow area behind a defensive wall's parapet elevated above its terreplein and used by defenders to shoot at attackers.
- noun A bench built into a wall, especially (military) one built into a wall of a defensive trench, used for sitting and for shooting at attackers.
- noun An upholstered bench, e.g., along a wall of a restaurant or lounge area.
- noun (dated) A bench or similar seat on top of a diligence or other public vehicle.
- noun (Louisiana, Texas) A sidewalk.
Etymology
Borrowed from French banquette, the diminutive form of banc; by surface analysis, bank + -ette.
Webster’s 1913
- noun A raised way or foot bank, running along the inside of a parapet, on which musketeers stand to fire upon the enemy.
- noun A narrow window seat; a raised shelf at the back or the top of a buffet or dresser.
Etymology [F. See Banquet, n.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “banquette”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details