benefice

views updated May 14 2018

ben·e·fice / ˈbenəfis/ • n. a permanent Church appointment, typically that of a rector or vicar, for which property and income are provided in respect of pastoral duties.DERIVATIVES: ben·e·ficed adj.

benefice

views updated Jun 11 2018

benefice †favour, benefit; ecclesiastical living. XIV. — OF. benefice (mod. bénéfice profit, perquisite) — L. beneficium, f. bene well + fic- var. of stem of facere DO1, make.
So beneficence XVI, beneficent XVII. — F. — L. beneficial XV. — F. or late L. beneficiary XVII. — L. (cf. F. bénéficiaire).