See Also: benefice(dictionary)
benefice(encyclopedia)
benefice(dictionary)
BENEFICE, eccles(law)

benefice (iou)



benefice noun & verb. ME.
[Old French (mod. benefice profit, perquisite) from Latin beneficium favour, support, from (after beneficus BENEFIC) bene well + fic- var. of fac- in facere do, make. In sense A.2 translating Latin.]
A. noun.
I.
An ecclesiastical living; property held by a rector, vicar, or other church officer. ME.
Hist. Land granted in feudal tenure, a fief. L15.
II. A kindness or favour; an indulgence. LME-L17.
Favourable influence or operation; advantage, protection. obsolete exc. Hist. LME.
Beneficial property or action (as of natural causes). LME-M17.
b. verb trans. Endow or invest with a church living. Chiefly as beneficed ppl adjective. LME.