also: ばっせき
noun
lowest seat; foot of the table; seat furthest from the seat of honor
Refers to the least prestigious seat in a formal seating arrangement, typically farthest from the guest of honor or head of the table.
新入社員は会議で末席に座った。
The new employee sat at the lowest seat in the meeting.
宴会では、末席に座るのが礼儀
At a banquet, it is polite to sit at the foot of the table.
noun
lowest rank; bottom (e.g. of the class)
Metaphorical extension: the lowest position in a hierarchy, such as in a company, class ranking, or any ordered group.
彼はクラスで末席に甘んじている。
He is content with being at the bottom of the class.
その部署は会社の中で末席の地位にある。
That department holds the lowest rank in the company.
Compound of 末 (matsu, 'end') + 席 (seki, 'seat'). The reading まっせき is a result of gemination (促音便) of the first character's reading.