I. ˌbenəˈfishēˌerē, -shərē, -ri noun
( -es )
Etymology: Medieval Latin beneficiarius (influenced in meaning by Medieval Latin beneficium ), from Latin, privileged soldier, from beneficium favor + -arius -ary — more at benefice
1.
a. : one who holds a feudal benefice : feudatory , vassal
b. : one who holds an ecclesiastical benefice
2. : one who receives something: as
a. : the person designated to receive the income of a trust estate
b. : the person named (as in an insurance or annuity policy) as the one who is to receive proceeds or benefits accruing
c. : a person in whose favor a letter of credit is issued entitling him to draw a draft or bill of exchange
II. | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷- adjective
Etymology: Medieval Latin beneficiarius (influenced in meaning by Medieval Latin beneficium ), from Latin, of a favor, from beneficium + -arius -ary
: arising from, held as, or having a benefice
beneficiary services
a beneficiary baron