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.
Origin of benefice
OTHER WORDS FROM benefice
non·ben·e·ficed, adjective un·ben·e·ficed, adjectiveWords nearby benefice
benefactive,
benefactor,
benefactress,
benefactrix,
benefic,
benefice,
beneficence,
beneficent,
beneficial,
beneficiary,
beneficiate
Example sentences 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 support
See 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