Defn: One who confers a benefit or benefits. Bacon.
BENEFACTRESS
Ben`e*fac"tress, n.
Defn: A woman who confers a benefit.
His benefactress blushes at the deed. Cowper.
BENEFIC
Be*nef"ic, a. Etym: [L. beneficus. See Benefice.]
Defn: Favorable; beneficent. Milton.
BENEFICE Ben"e*fice, n. Etym: [F. bénéfice, L. beneficium, a kindness , in LL. a grant of an estate, fr. L. beneficus beneficent; bene well + facere to do. See Benefit.]
1. A favor or benefit. [Obs.] Baxter.
2. (Feudal Law)
Defn: An estate in lands; a fief.
Note: Such an estate was granted at first for life only, and held on the mere good pleasure of the donor; but afterward, becoming hereditary, it received the appellation of fief, and the term benefice became appropriated to church livings.