3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Benefice  \Ben"e*fice\,  v.  t.  [imp.  &  p.  p.  {Beneficed}.] 
  To  endow  with  a  benefice. 
 
  Note:  [Commonly  in  the  past  participle.] 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  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}.] 
  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 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  benefice 
  n  :  an  endowed  church  office  giving  income  to  its  holder  [syn:  {ecclesiastical 
  benefice}] 
  v  :  endow  with  a  benefice 

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