Benefice

(běn'e-fis.) [From L. beneficium.] (Eccl.) An ecclesiastical living, particularly a rectory and a vicar ago. Bishoprics, deaneries, and prebendaries being now, in England, usually styled dignities. In the Middle Ages the popes a umed feudal rights with reference to the patronage of the Church, and claimed the exclusive right of conferring benefices. The a umption of these aroused the jealousy of princes and rulers, and was one of the causes which led to the Reformation. Beneven'to, [anc. Ben even tum,] a city of S. Italy, on ah ill near the confluence of the Calore and Sabato, 32 m. N.E. of Naples. Except Rome, perhaps no Italian city can boast of so many remains of antiquity. The Arch ofTrajan is still nearly perfect. Under theLombards, B. was the C. of a powerful duchy. Pop. 16,500. [s. 88]