ˈbenɪfɪt n. & v. --n. 1 a
favourable or
helpful factor or
circumstance;
advantage,
profit. 2 (often in pl.)
payment made under insurance or
social security (sickness benefit). 3 a
public performance or game of
which the proceeds go to a
particular player or
company or
charitable cause. --v. (benefited, benefiting; US benefitted, benefitting) 1 tr. do
good to;
bring advantage to. 2 intr. (often foll. by
from, by)
receive an advantage or
gain. øbenefit of
clergy 1
hist. exemption of the
English tonsured clergy
and nuns from the
jurisdiction of the
ordinary civil courts. 2
ecclesiastical sanction or
approval (marriage
without benefit of clergy). the benefit of the
doubt a
concession that a
person is
innocent,
correct,
etc.,
although doubt exists. benefit
society a society
for mutual insurance
against illness or the effects of
old age. [ME f. AF benfet, OF bienfet, f. L benefactum f. bene facere do well]