bestowed on bishops, in manner of a welcome, improficIat

[O. Fr.] A fee or benevolence mediately after their installment. "For his proficiat and other small fees."-Urquhart: Rabelais , bk. ii., ch. xxx. pro-fic-ien-çỹ, *pro-fic-ience (c as sh), 8 [Eng. proficien (t); -cy, -ce.] 1. The quality or state of being proficient; advancement or improvement in anything, especially in any art, science, or knowledge; skill acquired by practice; degree of advancement attained in any branch of knowledge. *2. A start, an advance. "It [Hebrew] received a wonderful proficiency."-Heylin: Life of Laud, p. 317. pro-fic-ient (cas sh), a . & s. [Lat. proficiens , pr. par. of proficio = to make progre , to advance: pro forward, and facio = to make; Sp. & Ital. pro ficiente.] A. As adj .: Well-versed or skilled in any bus i competent. ne , art, science, accomplishment, or exercise; any busine , art, science, accomplishment, or exercise; one who has made advances or acquired a considerable degree of skill; an adept, an expert. "Nothing but speculation was required in making pro ficients in their respective departments." -Goldsmith: Polite Learning , ch. ii. B. As subst.: One who is well versed or skilled in pro-fic-ient-lý (cas sh), adverb. [Eng. pro ficient; -ly.] In a proficient manner or degree; with proficiency. *pro-fic-u-ous, adj . [Lat. proficuus , from pro ficio to make progre , to advance.] [PROFICIENT.] Advantageous, profitable, useful.