Ben"e*fice , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beneficed.]
To endow with a
benefice. [Commonly in the past participle.]
Ben"e*fice (&?;), n. [F. bénéfice, L. beneficium, a kindness , in LL. a grant of an estate, fr. L. beneficus beneficent;
bene well +
facere to do. See Benefit.]
1. A favor or benefit. [Obs.] Baxter.
2. (Feudal Law) An estate in
lands; a fief.
&fist; Such an
estate was granted at first for
life only, and held on the mere good
pleasure of the donor; but afterward, becoming hereditary, it received the appellation of fief, and the term
benefice became
appropriated to church
livings.
3. An ecclesiastical living
and church preferment, as in the Church
of England; a church endowed with a revenue for
the maintenance of divine service. See Advowson.
&fist; All church preferments are called
benefices, except bishoprics, which are called dignities.
But, ordinarily, the term dignity is applied to bishoprics, deaneries, archdeaconries, and prebendaryships; benefice to parsonages,
vicarages, and donatives.
Hear it pronounced