Benefaction

ben-e-fak′shun, n. the act of doing good: a good deed done or benefit conferred: a grant or endowment.— n. Benefac′tor , one who gives a benefit to another, esp. one who leaves a legacy to some charitable or religious institution, a patron:— fem. Benefac′tre .— adj. Benefac′tory . [L. benefaction-em .]