The AI-powered English dictionary
plural banquettes
(military) A narrow area behind a defensive wall's parapet elevated above its terreplein and used by defenders to shoot at attackers.
(military) one built into a wall of a defensive trench, used for sitting and for shooting at attackers.
An upholstered bench, e.g., along a wall of a restaurant or lounge area. examples
(dated) A bench or similar seat on top of a diligence or other public vehicle. quotations examples
My brother-in-law […] took refuge in the banquette.
1899, Julia Ward Howe, Reminiscences
(Louisiana, Texas) A sidewalk. quotations examples
The boys were dragging along the banquette a small “express wagon,” which they had filled with blocks and sticks.
1899, Kate Chopin, The Awakening
“Get the hell away from that stove, Charmaine, and go play out on the banquette before I bust you right in the mouth.”
a. 1969, John Kennedy Toole, A Confederacy of Dunces, Penguin, published 1981