'Benefice' definitions:
Definition of 'benefice'
(from WordNet)
noun
An endowed church office giving income to its holder [syn: benefice, ecclesiastical benefice]
verb
Endow with a benefice
Definition of 'Benefice'
From: GCIDE
- Benefice \Ben"e*fice\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beneficed.] To endow with a benefice.
- Note: [Commonly in the past participle.] [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Benefice'
From: GCIDE
- Benefice \Ben"e*fice\, n. [F. b['e]n['e]fice, L. beneficium, a kindness, in LL. a grant of an estate, fr. L. beneficus beneficent; bene well + facere to do. See Benefit.] [1913 Webster]
- 1. A favor or benefit. [Obs.] --Baxter. [1913 Webster]
- 2. (Feudal Law) An estate in lands; a fief. [1913 Webster]
- Note: 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. [1913 Webster]
- 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. [1913 Webster]
- Note: 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. [1913 Webster]