n. [ OE. benefet, benfeet, bienfet, F. bienfait, fr. L. benefactum; bene well (adv. of bonus good) + factum, p. p. of facere to do. See Bounty, and Fact. ] 1. An act of kindness; a favor conferred. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Ps. ciii. 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Whatever promotes prosperity and personal happiness, or adds value to property; advantage; profit. [ 1913 Webster ]

Men have no right to what is not for their benefit. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A theatrical performance, a concert, or the like, the proceeds of which do not go to the lessee of the theater or to the company, but to some individual actor, or to some charitable use. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Beneficence; liberality. [ Obs. ] Webster (1623). [ 1913 Webster ]

5. pl. Natural advantages; endowments; accomplishments. [ R. ] “The benefits of your own country.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Benefit of clergy. (Law) See under Clergy. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Profit; service; use; avail. See Advantage. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Benefited; p. pr. & vb. n. Benefitting. ] To be beneficial to; to do good to; to advantage; to advance in health or prosperity; to be useful to; to profit. [ 1913 Webster ]

I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them. Jer. xviii. 10. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To gain advantage; to make improvement; to profit; as, he will benefit by the change. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who confers a benefit; -- also, one who receives a benefit. [ 1913 Webster ]

. A society or association formed for mutual insurance, as among tradesmen or in labor unions, to provide for relief in sickness, old age, and for the expenses of burial. Usually called friendly society in Great Britain. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]