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benefaction

[ben-uh-fak-shuh n, ben-uh-fak-]
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noun

an act of conferring a benefit; the doing of good; a good deed: He is known throughout the region for his many benefactions.
the benefit conferred; charitable donation: to solicit benefactions for earthquake victims.

Origin of benefaction

1655–65; < Late Latin benefactiōn- (stem of benefactiō), equivalent to Latin bene bene- + fact(us) done (see fact) + -iōn- -ion
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for benefaction

gift, donation, legacy, relief, alms, aid, contribution, endowment, generosity, favor, assistance, benevolence, philanthropy, kindness, charity

Examples from the Web for benefaction

Historical Examples of benefaction

  • Scarification, with other crude penances, has now been superseded by benefaction.

  • Only one of these acts of sympathy and benefaction we will mention.

    Blue Lights

    R.M. Ballantyne

  • Why not all the benefaction on our side, and a figo for rewards!

  • It was not that he regarded the king's present as a benefaction.

    The Growth of a Soul

    August Strindberg

  • The year 1784 was given as the date of this benefaction, in the Returns made to Parliament in 1786.

British Dictionary definitions for benefaction

benefaction

noun

the act of doing good, esp by giving a donation to charity
the donation or help given

Word Origin for benefaction

C17: from Late Latin benefactiō, from Latin bene well + facere to do
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012