\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}.]
1. A favor or benefit. [Obs.] --Baxter.
2. (Feudal Law) An estate in lands; a fief.
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.
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}.
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.

\Ben"e*fice\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beneficed}.]
To endow with a benefice.
Note: [Commonly in the past participle.]