Benefice

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈbÉ›nɪfɪs/

Origin

From Old French benefice, from Latin beneficium.

Full definition of benefice

Noun

1. Land granted to a priest in a church that has a source of income attached to it.
• 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, NYRB 2001, vol. 1 p. 323:If after long expectation, much expense, travel, earnest suit of ourselves and friends, we obtain a small benefice at last, our misery begins afresh ...
• 2007, Edwin Mullins, The Popes of Avignon, Blue Bridge 2008, p. 94:There were as many as one hundred thousand benefices offered during the period of his papacy, according to one chronicler and eyewitness.
2. (obsolete) A favour or benefit.
3. (feudal law) An estate in lands; a fief.

Verb

1. To bestow a benefice upon
• 1917, George A. Stephen, Three Centuries of a City Library Chapter , There are two volumes, "The Open Door for Man's approach to God" (London, 1650) and "A Consideration of Infant Baptism" (London, 1653), by John Horne, who was beneficed at All Hallows, King's Lynn.
• 1851, Horace Greeley, Glances at Europe Chapter , You clergymen of the Established Church have been richly endowed and beneficed expressly for this work--why don't you DO it?