Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Benefit"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Benefit \Ben"e*fit\, v. i.
To gain advantage; to make improvement; to profit; as, he
will benefit by the change.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Benefit \Ben"e*fit\, 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.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his
benefits. --Ps. ciii. 2.

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

Men have no right to what is not for their benefit.
--Burke.

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.

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

5. pl. Natural advantages; endowments; accomplishments. [R.]
``The benefits of your own country.'' --Shak.

{Benefit of clergy}. (Law) See under {Clergy}.

Syn: Profit; service; use; avail. See {Advantage}.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Benefit \Ben"e*fit\, 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.

I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would
benefit them. --Jer. xviii.
10.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

benefit
n 1: financial assistance in time of need
2: something that aids or promotes well-being: "for the common
good" [syn: {welfare}]
3: a performance to raise money for a charitable cause
v 1: derive benefit from [syn: {profit}, {gain}]
2: be beneficial for; "This will do you good" [syn: {do good}]

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