benefice Meaning, Definition & Usage
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noun an endowed church office giving income to its holder
ecclesiastical benefice.
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verb endow with a benefice
WordNet
Ben"e*fice noun
Etymology
F.Definitions
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A favor or benefit. Obs. Baxter. -
(Feudal Law) An estate in lands; a fief. ✍ 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. -
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 .✍ 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 transitive verb
Wordforms
Definitions
To endow with a benefice. Commonly in the past participle.