Found 2 items, similar to Benefice.
English → English (WordNet) Definition: benefice benefice n : an endowed church office giving income to its holder [syn: ecclesiastical benefice ] benefice v : endow with a benefice
English → English (gcide) Definition: Benefice Benefice \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.] [1913 Webster] 1. A favor or benefit. [Obs.] --Baxter. [1913 Webster] 2. (Feudal Law) An estate in lands; a fief. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] Benefice \Ben"e*fice\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beneficed.] To endow with a benefice. Note: [Commonly in the past participle.] [1913 Webster]