Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Benefice
Ben′e-fice
,Noun.
[F.
bénéfice
, L. beneficium
, a kindness , in LL. a grant of an estate, fr. L. beneficus
beneficent; bene
well + facere
to do. See Benefit
.] 1.
A favor or benefit.
[Obs.]
Baxter.
2.
(Feudal Law)
An estate in lands; a fief.
☞ Such an estate was granted at first for life only, and held on the mere good pleasure of the donor; but afterward, becoming hereditary, it received the appellation of fief, and the term benefice became appropriated to church livings.
3.
An ecclesiastical living and church preferment, as in the Church of England; a church endowed with a revenue for the maintenance of divine service. See
Advowson
. ☞ All church preferments are called benefices, except bishoprics, which are called dignities. But, ordinarily, the term dignity is applied to bishoprics, deaneries, archdeaconries, and prebendaryships; benefice to parsonages, vicarages, and donatives.
Ben′e-fice
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Beneficed
.] To endow with a benefice.
[Commonly in the past participle.]
Webster 1828 Edition
Benefice
BEN'EFICE
,Noun.
1.
Literally, a benefit, advantage or kindness. But in present usage, en ecclesiastical living; a church endowed with a revenue, for the maintenance of divine service,or the revenue itself. All church preferments are called benefices, except bishoprics, which are called dignities. But ordinarily, the term dignity is applied to bishoprics, deaneries, arch-deaconries, and prebendaries; and benefice, to parsonages, vicarages, and donatives.2.
In the middle ages, benefice was used for a fee, or an estate in lands, granted at first for like only, and held ex mero beneficio of the donor. The estate afterwards becoming hereditary, took the appellation of feud, and benefice became appropriated to church livings.