资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Bench mark \Bench mark\ (Leveling)
   Any permanent mark to which other levels may be referred.
   Specif. : A horizontal mark at the water's edge with
   reference to which the height of tides and floods may be
   measured.

Bench \Bench\, n.; pl. {Benches}. [OE. bench, benk, AS. benc;
   akin to Sw. b["a]nk, Dan b[ae]nk, Icel. bekkr, OS., D., & G.
   bank. Cf. {Bank}, {Beach}.]
   1. A long seat, differing from a stool in its greater length.

            Mossy benches supplied the place of chairs. --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.

   2. A long table at which mechanics and other work; as, a
      carpenter's bench.

   3. The seat where judges sit in court.

            To pluck down justice from your awful bench. --Shak.

   4. The persons who sit as judges; the court; as, the opinion
      of the full bench. See {King's Bench}.

   5. A collection or group of dogs exhibited to the public; --
      so named because the animals are usually placed on benches
      or raised platforms.

   6. A conformation like a bench; a long stretch of flat
      ground, or a kind of natural terrace, near a lake or
      river.

   {Bench mark} (Leveling), one of a number of marks along a
      line of survey, affixed to permanent objects, to show
      where leveling staffs were placed.

   {Bench of bishops}, the whole body of English prelates
      assembled in council.

   {Bench plane}, any plane used by carpenters and joiners for
      working a flat surface, as jack planes, long planes.

   {Bench show}, an exhibition of dogs.

   {Bench table} (Arch.), a projecting course at the base of a
      building, or round a pillar, sufficient to form a seat.

资料来源 : WordNet®

bench mark
     n : a surveyor's mark on a permanent object of predetermined
         position and elevation used as a reference point [syn: {benchmark}]