Etymologically
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beneficium

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 18:25. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [bɛ.nɛˈfɪ.ki.ũː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [be.neˈfiː.t͡ʃi.um][1]

Forms

beneficium n (genitive beneficiī or beneficī); second declension[1] Also spelled benificium.[2]

Etymology

It is from beneficus “generous, kind” with the suffix -ium; ⟨beneficus⟩ is from bene “well” and faciō “to do”.[2][1][3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Plautus, of a kindness, a service.[2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.[5]

Semantic evolution

It was an act for another's good, a kindness, favour, service, as in Plautus and Cicero.[2][4] In politics it was a privilege or grant, as in Cicero's in beneficiīs ad aerārium dēlātus “recommended for a reward”; in the army an appointment given by favour, or a largesse.[2] In law it was the benefit conferred by a law or a status, and its ablative meant by the favour of, thanks to.[2]

In Medieval Latin it was a favour granted to a dependant, a reward, a bribe, a gift of land for services, a pious gift to a church, and the land so held.[6] In the Church it was a benefice, an office with a revenue.[7] British Medieval Latin also had the benefit of clergy, the right to be tried in a church court.[8] English benefice (about 1300, a church living) comes from it through Old French and directly; its adjective ⟨beneficiālis⟩ gave English beneficial.[9]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it.[2][5]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of political favours.[2][5]
  • c. 1300 – English benefice is recorded.[9]
  • mid-15th century – English beneficial is recorded.[9]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A kindness, favour, service.[2]
  2. A privilege or grant; a military appointment; a largesse.[2]
  3. The benefit of a law or legal status.[2]
  4. (ablative) By the favour of, thanks to.[2]
  5. (Medieval Latin) A grant of land for services; a fief.[6]
  6. (Ecclesiastical Latin) A benefice.[7]
  7. (Medieval Latin) Benefit of clergy.[8]
  • beneficus
  • benefactum
  • English benefice
  • English beneficial

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ Thesaurus linguae Latinae (1900–), Leipzig: Teubner; Berlin: De Gruyter; open-access ed., Munich: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
  4. ^ a b Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  5. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  6. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  7. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  8. ^ a b Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
  9. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com