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benefactor

 - 3 dictionary results

ben⋅e⋅fac⋅tor

  [ben-uh-fak-ter, ben-uh-fak-]
Use benefactor in a Sentence
–noun
1. a person who confers a benefit; kindly helper.
2. a person who makes a bequest or endowment, as to an institution.
Origin:
1425–75; late ME benefactour < LL; see bene-, factor

Synonyms:
2. patron, supporter, sponsor, backer, protector.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To benefactor
ben·e·fac·tor   (běn'ə-fāk'tər)   
n.  One that gives aid, especially financial aid.

[Middle English, from Late Latin, from Latin benefacere, to do a service; see benefaction.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

benefactor 
1451, from L.L. benefactor, from L. phrase bene facere, from bene "well" + facere "to do" (see factitious). Translated in O.E. as wel-doend.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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