benefice

noun

1. Land granted to a priest in a church that has a source of income attached to it.

   “If after long expectation, much expense, travel, earnest suit of ourselves and friends, we obtain a small benefice at last, our misery begins afresh […]”

   “She saw how many, even of good men's children, profaned the ministry, […] that she was vehemently against addicting any to that office, that had not, besides good wits and parts, so great a love to God and souls, as to come to it with absolute self-denial, resolved to serve Christ at the dearest rates, and take his acceptance and the winning of souls for their benefice.”

   “There were as many as one hundred thousand benefices offered during the period of his papacy, according to one chronicler and eyewitness.”

2. (obsolete)A favour or benefit.
3. An estate in lands; a fief.

verb

1. To bestow a benefice upon

   “There are two volumes, "The Open Door for Man's approach to God" (London, 1650) and "A Consideration of Infant Baptism" (London, 1653), by John Horne, who was beneficed at All Hallows, King's Lynn.”

   “You clergymen of the Established Church have been richly endowed and beneficed expressly for this work--why don't you DO it?”