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Benʹefice (3 syl.)

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Under the Romans certain grants of lands made to veteran soldiers were called beneficia, and in the Middle Ages an estate held ex mero beneficio of the donor was called “a benefice.” When the popes assumed the power of the feudal lords with reference to ecclesiastical patronage, a “living” was termed by them a benefice held under the pope as superior lord. This assumption roused the jealousy of France and England, and was stoutly resisted.

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Bend
Bend Sinister
Bendemeer
Bender
Bendigo
Bendy (Old)
Benedicite
Benedick
Benedict
Benedictines
Benefice
Benefit of Clergy
Benen-geli
Benet (French)
Benèvolence
Benevolus
Bengal Tigers
Bengalese
Bengodi
Benicia Boy
Benjamin