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. benefit 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 ]