The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Pew \Pew\ (p[=u]), 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. po`dion, dim. of poy`s,
   podo`s, 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      originally made square, but are now usually long and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.
      [1913 Webster]

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