I. ˈbenəˌfit, US sometimes -_fə̇t, S sometimes -ni- or -nē-, Brit usually -ni_fit; US usually -d.+V noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English benefet, benefit, alteration (influenced by Latin bene ) of benfet, from Anglo-French, from Latin bene factum, from neuter of bene factus, past participle of bene facere to do good, benefit, from bene well (adverb of bonus good) + facere to do — more at bounty , do
1. archaic : an act of kindness : good deed : benefaction
bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits — Ps 103:2 (Revised Standard Version)
2.
a. : something that guards, aids, or promotes well-being : advantage , good
no voice is louder than that of business in affirming the benefits of political democracy — W.H.Whyte
b. : useful aid : help , means , agency — used especially in the phrase without benefit of
the attack proceeded without benefit of artillery — P.W.Thompson
3. : payment , gift : as
a. : financial help in time of sickness, old age, or unemployment — see benefit society
b. obsolete : a winning ticket or prize in a lottery
c. : a cash payment or service provided for under an annuity, pension plan, or insurance policy
4. obsolete : a natural advantage
disable all the benefits of your own country — Shakespeare
5. : an entertainment or social event to raise funds for a person, public program, or cause
a benefit luncheon
specifically : a theatrical performance whose proceeds are given to a particular actor or a designated cause
II. verb
( benefited or benefitted -ˌfid.ə̇d, -ˌfitə̇d, Brit usually -_fitid ; benefited or benefitted “ ; benefiting or benefitting -ˌfid.iŋ, -ˌfitiŋ, Brit usually -_fitiŋ ; benefits -ˌfits, US sometimes - _fə̇ts, Brit usually -_fits)
transitive verb
: to be useful or profitable to : aid , advance , improve
medicines that benefit mankind
intransitive verb
: to receive benefit : become protected, aided, or advanced
benefit from experience
a novel that would benefit by revision