Benefit | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Bĕn'e-fit, n.

noun

n. [Lat. benefactum, equiv. to beneficium, from benefacere; Fr. bienfait, O. Fr. bienfet. See BENEFACTION.]

Sense 1. An act of kindness; a favor conferred. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Ps. ciii. 2.

Sense 2. Whatever contributes to promote prosperity and personal happiness, or adds value to property; advantage; profit. Men have no right to what is not for their benefit. Burke.

Sense 3. A performance at a theater or elsewhere, the proceeds of which are given to one of the actors, or to some indigent, deserving person, or some public institution or charity.

Sense 4. (Law.) Benefit of clergy. See CLERGY.

Sense 5. Beneficence; liberality; generosity. [Obs. and rare.] Webster, 1623.

Synonyms—Advantage; profit; service; use; avail.

Bĕn'e-fit, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. BENEFITED; p. pr. & vb. n. BENEFITING.] To be beneficial to, to do good to; to advantage; to advance in health or prosperity; to be useful to.

What course I mean to hold shall nothing benefit your knowledge. Shak.

Bĕn'e-fit, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. To gain advantage; to make improvement. To tell you what I have benefited herein. Milton.