free bench

The story

1. Anglo-Norman · derived fromfranc banc“frank bank”
2. English todayfree bench

From free + bench, after Anglo-Norman franc banc (“frank bank”).

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 15th c. A married woman's entitlement to the use of her husband's lands or property after he dies; or the land and property itself considered as such an entitlement.