Middle English Dictionary Entry
benefactor, -ǒur n.
Entry Info
| Forms | benefactor, -ǒur n. |
| Etymology | L |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. benefetǒur.
1.
(a) One who aids or benefits another; (b) one who endows a religious foundation.
Associated quotations
a
- (1466) Doc.in HMC Rep.9 App.1229 : I wyll haue a messe..for me and..my fadyr and my modyr, and alle my good benefactoures, and alle Crysten.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)438/30 : For the sowles of fadir, modir, and brother of the same..and all his benefacturis.
- a1500 Discip.Cler.(Wor F.172)51 : He the whiche denyeth a goode deede denyeth his benefactours and so he denyeth god.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)41/3 : Þou wolt haue all men frendes and benefactors.
b
- (1451) Paston2.254 : All othyr Relygyoux shall..breke the..wille of anye benefactor that avauncyth hem wyth londs.
- (1454-5) Acc.St.Ewen in BGAS 15159 : The benefacto[r]z ther to ben thes as suen.
- (1475) RParl.6.143a : The Prioury..was founded, edefied, and indowed with grete parte aswell of his goodes..as of many other benefactours.