benefit

ben·e·fit   (běn'ə-fĭt)    n.   Something that promotes or enhances well-being; an advantage: The field trip was of great benefit to the students. 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.

benefit  (n.)

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

benefit

see give the benefit.