benefice
[ ben-uh-fis ]
/ ˈbɛn ə fɪs /
noun
a position or post granted to an ecclesiastic that guarantees a fixed amount of property or income.
the revenue itself.
the equivalent of a fief in the early Middle Ages.
verb (used with object), ben·e·ficed, ben·e·fic·ing.
to invest with a benefice or ecclesiastical living.
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Nearby words
benefactive, benefactor, benefactress, benefactrix, benefic, benefice, beneficence, beneficent, beneficial, beneficiary, beneficiate
Origin of benefice
Related forms
non·ben·e·ficed, adjectiveun·ben·e·ficed, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for benefice
British Dictionary definitions for benefice
benefice
/ (ˈbɛnɪfɪs) /
noun
Christianity an endowed Church office yielding an income to its holder; a Church living
the property or revenue attached to such an office
(in feudal society) a tenement (piece of land) held by a vassal from a landowner on easy terms or free, esp in return for military supportSee also vassalage
verb
(tr) to provide with a benefice
Word Origin for benefice
C14: from Old French, from Latin beneficium benefit, from beneficus, from bene well + facere to do
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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