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9 dictionary results for: benefit

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

ben·e·fit

[ben-uh-fit] Pronunciation Key noun, verb, -fit·ed, -fit·ing.

–noun

1.	something that is advantageous or good; an advantage: He explained the benefits of public ownership of the postal system.

2.	a payment or gift, as one made to help someone or given by a benefit society, insurance company, or public agency: The company offers its employees a pension plan, free health insurance, and other benefits.

3.	a theatrical performance or other public entertainment to raise money for a charitable organization or cause.

4.	Archaic. an act of kindness; good deed; benefaction.

–verb (used with object)

5.	to do good to; be of service to: a health program to benefit everyone.

–verb (used without object)

6.	to derive benefit or advantage; profit; make improvement: He has never benefited from all that experience.

—Idiom

7.	for someone's benefit, so as to produce a desired effect in another's mind: He wasn't really angry; that was just an act for his girlfriend's benefit.

[Origin: 1350–1400; late ME benefytt, benefett (n.), alter. (with Latinized first syll.) of ME b(i)enfet, benefait < AF benfet, MF bienfait < L benefactum good deed; see bene-, fact

]

—Related forms

ben·e·fit·er, noun

—Synonyms 1. favor, service. See advantage.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

ben·e·fit (běn'ə-fĭt) Pronunciation Key
n.

1. Something that promotes or enhances well-being; an advantage: The field trip was of great benefit to the students.
2. Help; aid.
A payment made or an entitlement available in accordance with a wage agreement, an insurance policy, or a public assistance program.
A public entertainment, performance, or social event held to raise funds for a person or cause.
Archaic A kindly deed.

v.   ben·e·fit·ed also ben·e·fit·ted, ben·e·fit·ing also ben·e·fit·ting, ben·e·fits also ben·e·fits

v.   tr.
To be helpful or useful to.

v.   intr.
To derive benefit: You will benefit from her good example.

[Middle English, from Old French bienfait, good deed, from Latin benefactum, from benefacere, to do a service; see benefaction.]

Synonyms: These verbs mean to derive advantage from something: benefited from the stock split; capitalized on her adversary's blunder; profiting from experience.

(Download Now or Buy the Book)
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
benefit (n.)

1377, "good or noble deed," from Anglo-Fr. benfet "well-done," from L. benefactum "good deed" (see benefactor.) Meaning "advantage, profit" first attested 1393. Meaning "performance or entertainment to raise money for some charitable cause" is from 1687. The verb is attested from 1549. Benefice "ecclesiastical living" is from 1340.

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

benefit
noun
1.	financial assistance in time of need
2.	something that aids or promotes well-being; "for the benefit of all"
3.	a performance to raise money for a charitable cause
verb
1.	derive a benefit from; "She profited from his vast experience" [syn: profit]
2.	be beneficial for; "This will do you good"

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American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This

benefit

see give the benefit.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

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Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: ben·e·fit
Function: noun
1 : something that provides an advantage or gain; specifically : an enhancement of property value, enjoyment of facilities, or increase in general prosperity arising from a public improvement

general benefit
: a benefit to the community at large resulting from a public improvement

special benefit
: a benefit from a public improvement that directly enhances the value of particular property and is not shared by the community at large
NOTE: In proceedings for a partial taking for the purpose of a public improvement, the condemning authority may use a special benefit to the remaining land as a set-off against the landowner's damages for the taking.
2 in the civil law of Louisiana : a right esp. that serves to limit a person's liability

benefit of dis·cus·sion
: the right of a surety being sued to compel the suing creditor to sue the principal first

benefit of di·vi·sion
: the right of a surety being sued to compel the suing creditor to also sue the cosureties; also : the right of the surety to be liable only for his or her proportionate share of the debt

benefit of inventory
: the right of an heir to be held liable for the debts of the estate only to the extent of the assets in the estate
NOTE: The heir obtains the benefit of inventory by having a qualified public officer (as a notary public) make an inventory of the assets in the estate within the time period set by statute.
3 a : financial help in time of disability, sickness, old age, or unemployment b : payment or service provided for under an annuity, pension plan, or insurance policy —see also DEATH BENEFIT c : FRINGE BENEFIT — —benefit verb

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Benefit

Ben"e*fit\, n. [OE. benefet, benfeet, bienfet, F. bienfait, fr. L. benefactum; bene well (adv. of bonus good) + factum, p. p. of facere to do. See Bounty, and Fact.]

1. An act of kindness; a favor conferred.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. --Ps. ciii. 2.

2. Whatever promotes prosperity and personal happiness, or adds value to property; advantage; profit.

Men have no right to what is not for their benefit. --Burke.

3. A theatrical performance, a concert, or the like, the proceeds of which do not go to the lessee of the theater or to the company, but to some individual actor, or to some charitable use.

4. Beneficence; liberality. [Obs.] --Webster (1623).

5. pl. Natural advantages; endowments; accomplishments. [R.] "The benefits of your own country." --Shak.

Benefit of clergy. (Law) See under Clergy.

Syn: Profit; service; use; avail. See Advantage.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Benefit

Ben"e*fit\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Benefited; p. pr. & vb. n. Benefitting.] To be beneficial to; to do good to; to advantage; to advance in health or prosperity; to be useful to; to profit.

I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them. --Jer. xviii. 10.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Benefit

Ben"e*fit\, v. i. To gain advantage; to make improvement; to profit; as, he will benefit by the change.

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