Ben"e*fit , v. i. To gain advantage; to make improvement; to profit; as, he
will benefit by the change.
Ben"e*fit , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Benefited;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Benefitting.]
To be
beneficial to; to do good to; to advantage; to advance in health or prosperity; to be useful to;
to profit.
I will repent of the
good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.
Jer. xviii. 10.
Ben"e*fit (&?;), n. [OE.
benefet, benfeet, bienfet, F.
bienfait, fr. L. benefactum; bene well (adv. of bonus good) + factum, p. p. of
facere to do. See Bounty, and Fact.]
1. An act of kindness; a favor conferred.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
Ps.
ciii. 2.
2. Whatever promotes prosperity and personal happiness, or adds value to property; advantage; profit.
Men have no right to what
is not for their benefit.
Burke.
3.
A theatrical performance, a concert, or the like, the
proceeds of which do not
go to the lessee of the
theater or to the company, but to some individual actor, or to some charitable use.
4. Beneficence; liberality. [Obs.] Webster (1623).
5.
pl. Natural advantages; endowments;
accomplishments. [R.] "The
benefits of your own country." Shak.
Benefit of clergy. (Law) See under Clergy.
Syn. -- Profit; service; use; avail. See Advantage.
Hear it pronounced