Middle English Dictionary Entry
benefī̆cen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | benefī̆cen v. |
| Etymology | OF beneficier |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To give (sb.) an ecclesiastical benefice, promote (sb.) to an office or a position in the Church; (b) to further the interests of (sb.), benefit.
Associated quotations
a
- (1395) Wycl.37 Concl.(Tit D.1)153 : Seculer lordis..holden greete benefisid men in here courtis..and withdrawen hem vntruli fro here gostli cure.
- a1425 PPl.C (Cmb Ff 5.35)4.186 : [Hue] benefiseth [þauh þei be negh lewede].
- ?a1425(a1400) Brut-1377 (Corp-C 174)331/16 : He shulde haue of euery man of holy chirche þat was beneficed or promoted xij d.
- ?c1430(?1383) Wycl.Curse (Corp-C 296)330 : Þe more þat a worldly clerk..sclaundriþ þus Cristene soules, þe more he is preised and benefised among grete men of þis world.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)144/2 : Aftyrwardys he wex benefysyd & had gret cur of sowle.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)30 : Benefyzyd: Beneficiatus.
- (1449) RParl.5.153b : The Seculer Prestes of this Roialme not beneficed, as Stipendaries and Chaunterie Prestes, be committed to the Archiebisshoppes and Bisshoppes.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)225 : Everi benefised man that was in the Cort of Rome schuld be at hom.
b
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)1486 : How ben þi felawes lokyd to At hoom? ben þey not wel beneficed?
- (1472-3) RParl.6.22a : Provided alwey, that no persone or persones atteynted, nor their heires, be beneficed or avauntaged by this Acte.