/ben"euh fis/ , n. , v. , beneficed, beneficing .
n.
1. a position or post granted to an ecclesiastic that guarantees a fixed amount of property or income.
2. the revenue itself.
3. the equivalent of a fief in the early Middle Ages.
v.t.
4. to invest with a benefice or ecclesiastical living.
[ 1300-50; ME beneficium service, kindness ( benefic ( us ) BENEFIC + -ium -IUM) ]