benefaction (benefakshon)

[ Worshipping God and the Lamb in the temple: God, for his benefaction in creating all things, and the Lamb, for his benefaction in redeeming us with his blood. Newton. 2. A benefit conferred; especially, a charitable donation. A man of true generosity will study in what manner to render his benefaction most advantageous. Melmoth, tr. of Pliny, vii. 18. =Syn. 1. Kindne .-2. Gift, contribution, alms, charity. benefactor (ben-e-fak'tor), n. [ Benefactors? Well; what benefactors are they? are they not malefactors? Shak., M. for M., ii. 1. 2. One who confers a benefit; a kindly helper: as, "the great benefactor of mankind," Milton, P. R., iii. 82. He is the true benefactor and alone worthy of Honor who brings comfort where before was wretchedne , who dries the tear of sorrow. Sumner , True Grandeur of Nations. 3. One who makes a benefaction to or endows a charitable or other institution; one who makes a bequest. benefactre (ben-e-fak'tres), n. [ who are in need. Benevolence may exist without the means or opportunity for beneficence, but beneficence al- ways presupposes benevolence . Bounty is expre ive of kind feeling, but mo more expre ive of abundant giving. Liberality is giving which is large in proportion to the means of the giver. Generosity adds to the notion of liberality that of largene or noblene of spirit in con- nection with the gift. Munificence is giving on a large scale, not restricting itself to nece ary things, but giving lavishly; it is the one of these words most likely to be applied to ostentatious or self-seeking liberality, but not nece arily so. Charity , while having the best original meaning, has come to be a general word; as to gifts, it is what is bestowed upon the poor or needy, but not always with warm or kindly feelings: as, official charity. With a bow to Hepzibah, and a degree of paternal benev- olence in his parting nod to Phœbe, the Judge left the shop, and went smiling along the street. IMG:content-1934.png:[blocks in formation] Deserted at his utmost need By those his former bounty fed. Over and beside Signior Baptist a's liberality , I'll mend it with a large . Shak., T. of the S., i. 2. With disinterested generosity , [Byron] resolved to de- vote his fortune, his pen, and his sword to the [Greek] Godwin's Biog. Cyc . Such were his temperance and moderation, such the excellence of his breeding, the purity of his life, his lib- erality and munificence , and such the sweetne of his demeanor, that no one thing seemed wanting in him which belongs to a true and perfect prince. Quoted by Pre scott , in Ferd. and Isa., i. 2. Charity finds an extended scope for action only where there exists a large cla of men at once independent and impoverished. Lecky, Europ. Morals, II. 78. beneficency (bē-nef'i-sen-si), n. The quality of being beneficent. beneficent (bē-nef'i-sent), a. [ benefi- cen (t-)s, compar. beneficent i or , a umed from the noun beneficent i a , but the L. adj. is benefic us: see benefic and beneficence .] Doing or effecting good; performing acts of kindne and charity; or from a patron , who is properly said to present to it, or is conferred by the proper ecclesiastical superior; these nominations, in the Roman Catholic Church, regularly need confirmation from the pope. His action may cause a benefice to be reserved or affected (which see); or the collation is made alternative , that is, to the pope and regular patron or superior, according to the months in which the benefice falls vacant, by definite system. Ful thredbare was his overeste courtepy, For he hadde geten him yet no benefice . =Syn. Beneficent , Beneficial , bountiful, bounteous, liberal, munificent, generous, kind. Beneficent always implies a kind and worthy purpose back of that to which the adjec- tive applies; beneficial does not. Power of any kind readily appears in the manners; and beneficent power gives a majesty which cannot be concealed or resisted. Emerson, Eng. Traits, p. 187. That such a beech can with his very bulk Take up the rays o' the beneficial sun. Iodide of pota ium has been tried in large doses [in ficial . Quain, Med. Dict., p. 253. beneficential (be-nef-i-sen's hal), a. [L. be- neficentia (see beneficence ) + -al . ] Of or per- benefic i a, n. Plural of beneficium . beneficial (ben-e-fish'al), a. and n. [ beneficial is , L. beneficium , a benefit: see bene- fice .] I. a. 1. Contributing to a valuable end; conferring benefit; advantageous; profitable; useful; helpful. The war which would have been most beneficial to us. Swift . That which is beneficial to the community as a whole, it will become the private interest of some part of the com- munity to accomplish. H. Spencer , Social Statics, p. 443. 2. Having or conferring the right to the use or benefit, as of property; pertaining or entitled to the usufruct: as, a beneficial owner (which see, below); a beneficial interest in an estate. - 3t. Pertaining to or having a benefice; bene- IMG:content-1935.png:[blocks in formation] IMG:content-1936.png:[blocks in formation] Quoted in Hamilton's Mex. Handbook, p. 230. [ bene- beneficiation (ben-e-fish-i-a's hon), n. ficiate + -ion .] The reduction or metallurgical treatment of the metalliferous ores. beneficience, benefic i ent. Erroneous forms of beneficence , beneficent. benefic i oust (ben-e-fish'us), a. [L. beneficium , IMG:content-1937.png:[blocks in formation] benefit (ben'e-fit), n . [Early mod. E. also beni- fit , benyfit , etc. (also benefact , after L.); benfeet , benfet , benfait , benfeyte , etc., benfet , bienfet , OF. bienfait , F. bienfait = It. be nef at to, bene factum , a kindne , benefit, neut. of benefact us , pp. of benefacere , do good to: see benefaction . The same terminal element occurs in counterfeit , forfeit , and sur- feit .] 1. A thing well done; a good deed.- 2. An act of kindne ; a favor conferred; good done to a person. Ble the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits . Ps. ciii. 2 3. Advantage; profit; concretely, anything that is for the good or advantage of a person benefit or thing; a particular kind of good receivable or received. Men have no right to what is not for their benefit. Burke. The benefits of affection are immense. Emerson, Society and Solitude. Certain benefits arise [to herbivorous animals) from livH. Spencer, Prin. of Psychol., § 503. ing together. 41. Bestowal, as of property, office, etc., out of good will, grace, or favor; liberality; generosity. Either accept the title thou usurp'st, Of benefit proceeding from our king, And not of any challenge of desert, Or we will plague thee with ince ant wars. Shak., 1 Hen. VI., v. 4. IMG:content-1938.png:[blocks in formation] When these so noble benefits shall prove Not well dispos'd, the mind growing once corrupt, They turn to vicious forms. Shak ., Hen. VIII., i. 2. Benefit of clergy, in law. See clergy. - Benefit of discu ion. See discu ion. - Benefit of inventory. See inventory. - Benefit play, a play acted for some one's benefit or advantage. - Benefit society, a friendly so City See Friend age Benetikety, winning ticket at a lottery. By the benefit oft, by the kindne or favor of; by the help of Syn. and 3. Advantage, Benefit, etc. (see advantage ), service, gain, good, avail, use. benefit (ben'e-fit), v. [ IMG:content-1939.png:[blocks in formation] 2. To people with negroes. Sir T. Browne. benemptt. Obsolete preterit and past participle of bename. beneplacitt, a. and n. [ God's Beneplacite wil, commonly stiled his wil of good pleasure, is that whereby he decrees, effects or per mits al events & effects. Gale , Works, III. 18. ( N. E. D. ) II. n. [ bene placit us , pleasing, acceptable: see I. Cf. placitum , pleasure, what is decreed, neut. of placit us , pp. of placere , please.] Good pleasure; will; choice. Sir T. Browne. bene placito (bā'ne plä'che-tō). [It.: bene, bene (see bene- ); placito , placitum : see bene placit .] In music , at pleasure. beneplacituret, n. [ bene placit + -ure.] Same as bene placit . Hath he by his holy penmen told us, that either of the other ways was more suitable to his bene placit ure ? Glanville, Preexistence of Souls, iv. benet1+ (bē-net'), v. t. [ benetted round with villains. Shak., Hamlet, v. 2.