Benefit

//ˈbɛn.ə.fɪt// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    An advantage; help or aid from something. countable, uncountable

    "She can't read, so the voice recording was made for her benefit."

  2. 2
    something that aids or promotes well-being wordnet
  3. 3
    A payment made in accordance with an insurance policy or a public assistance scheme. countable, uncountable
  4. 4
    a performance to raise money for a charitable cause wordnet
  5. 5
    An event, such as a theatrical performance, given to raise funds for some cause. countable, uncountable

    "Gore Vidal […] will be sharing his wit and wisdom at the Arlington Street Church on Wednesday, April 5th at 7:00. The appearance is a benefit for the Boston/Boise Committee and the tickets are priced at $5."

Show 3 more definitions
  1. 6
    financial assistance in time of need wordnet
  2. 7
    beneficence; liberality countable, obsolete, uncountable

    "The Birds, that liue i'th field / On the vvilde Benefit of nature, liue / Happier then vve; for they may chooſe their Mates, / And carroll their ſvveet pleaſures to the Spring: […]"

  3. 8
    Intended audience (as for the benefit of). countable, uncountable

    "The whole scene was staged for his benefit, and it completely fooled him."

Verb
  1. 1
    To be or to provide a benefit to. transitive

    "[…] I will repent of the good; wherewith I saide I would benefite them."

  2. 2
    derive a benefit from wordnet
  3. 3
    To receive a benefit (from); to be a beneficiary. intransitive

    "Diesel maintenance schedules are benefiting from work done on the magnificent Hilger & Watts electronic spectrograph for oil analysis, which detects minute quantities of metals in samples of used lubricating oil; [...]."

  4. 4
    be beneficial for wordnet

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Late Middle English benefytt, benefett, alteration (due to Latin bene-) of benfet, bienfet, bienfait (“good or noble deed”), from Anglo-Norman benfet (“well-done”), Middle French bienfait, from Old French bienfet, bienfait (“foredeal, favour”), from past participle of bienfaire (“to do good, do well”), from bien (“well”) + faire (“to do”), modelled after Latin benefactum (“good deed”). More at benefactor.

Etymology 2

From Late Middle English benefytt, benefett, alteration (due to Latin bene-) of benfet, bienfet, bienfait (“good or noble deed”), from Anglo-Norman benfet (“well-done”), Middle French bienfait, from Old French bienfet, bienfait (“foredeal, favour”), from past participle of bienfaire (“to do good, do well”), from bien (“well”) + faire (“to do”), modelled after Latin benefactum (“good deed”). More at benefactor.

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