anxious bench

noun

variants or anxious seat

1

: a seat near the pulpit reserved at some revival meetings for persons especially concerned about their spiritual condition

called also mourners' bench

2

: a state of worry or anxiety caused by uncertainty

everybody was kept on the anxious seat by this system of perpetual probation

—Alva Johnston

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!