benefice

noun

ben·​e·​fice ˈbe-nə-fəs 

1

: an ecclesiastical office to which the revenue from an endowment is attached

2

: a feudal estate in lands : fief

benefice transitive verb

Examples of benefice in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Vicar of Bray was a celebrated side-switching clergyman who managed to retain his benefice during the religious controversies of the mid-16th century by constantly shifting his allegiance. —D.j. Taylor, WSJ, 29 Oct. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin beneficium, from Latin, favor, promotion, from beneficus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

benefice

noun

ben·​e·​fice ˈben-ə-fəs 

: a post held by a member of the clergy that gives the right to use certain property and to receive income from stated sources