[ben-uh-fak-shuh
n, ben-uh-fak-] 
| 1. | an act of conferring a benefit; the doing of good; a good deed: He is known throughout the region for his many benefactions. |
| 2. | the benefit conferred; charitable donation: to solicit benefactions for earthquake victims. |
| ben·e·fac·tion (běn'ə-fāk'shən, běn'ə-fāk'-) n.
[Late Latin benefactiō, benefactiōn-, from Latin benefactus, past participle of benefacere, to do a service : bene, well; see deu-2 in Indo-European roots + facere, to do; see dhē- in Indo-European roots.] ben'e·fac'tive (-tĭv) adj. |