Definition

A type of church office or estate that provides income, often associated with land or property.

Example

The priest was appointed to a benefice that included several villages.

Conversation

I read an interesting article about the history of benefice in medieval times.

Oh really? What did it say about it?

It explained how these estates were granted and their importance.

That sounds fascinating! I didn't know they had such a significant role.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Benefice is derived from the Old French 'benefice' (meaning benefit or advantage), which in turn comes from the Latin 'beneficium' (meaning a good deed or service). The word refers to a benefit or advantage, particularly in a religious or ecclesiastical context.

Memory Tip

Think of 'benefit' as a good deed or service, which helps you remember that 'benefice' refers to an advantage or benefit, especially in a religious setting.

Visually Confused Words