Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Pew \Pew\, n. [OE. pewe, OF. puie parapet, balustrade, balcony,
   fr. L. podium an elevated place, a jutty, balcony, a parapet
   or balcony in the circus, where the emperor and other
   distinguished persons sat, Gr. ?, dim. of ?, ?, foot; --
   hence the Latin sense of a raised place (orig. as a rest or
   support for the foot). See {Foot}, and cf. {Podium}, {Poy}.]
   1. One of the compartments in a church which are separated by
      low partitions, and have long seats upon which several
      persons may sit; -- sometimes called {slip}. Pews were
      originally made square, but are now usually long and
      narrow.

   2. Any structure shaped like a church pew, as a stall,
      formerly used by money lenders, etc.; a box in theater; a
      pen; a sheepfold. [Obs.] --Pepys. Milton.

   {Pew opener}, an usher in a church. [Eng.] --Dickens.