beneficiate

[ben-uh-fish-ee-eyt]

verb (used with object)

Metallurgy.

beneficiated, beneficiating 

1. to treat (ore) to make more suitable for smelting.

Other Word Forms

• beneficiation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of beneficiate¹

1870–75, < Spanish benefici ( ar ) to benefit, profit from (especially mining or farming) (verbal derivative of beneficio < Latin beneficium; benefice ) + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Most businessmen had never heard of the company and they were baffled by its purpose, which is to "beneficiate" an ore named taconite.

From Time Magazine Archive