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The district, office, or residence of an archdeacon. See Benefice. Every diocese is divided into archdeaconries. Blackstone.

character." Landor. It is no very cynical asperity not to confess obligations where no benefit has been received. Johnson.

o another, esp. to transfer to, and vest in, certain persons, called assignees, for the benefit of creditors. To assign dower, to set out by metes and bounds the widow's share or portion in an estate. Kent.

appointed, under a commission of bankruptcy, to manage the estate of a bankrupt for the benefit of his creditors.

roperty of a bankrupt to certain persons called assignees, in whom it is vested for the benefit of creditors. Assignment of dower, the setting out by metes and bounds of the widow's thirds or portion in the deceased husband's estate, and allotting it to her.

To turn to the advantage of; to be of service to; to profit; to benefit; to help; as, artifices will not avail the sinner in the day of judgment. O, what avails me now that honor high ! Milton.

ribution to a loss or charge which has been imposed upon one of several for the general benefit; damage done by sea perils.

becoming vacant, or the state of being vacant; -- specifically used for the state of a benefice becoming void by the death, deprivation, or resignation of the incumbent. Wolsey, . . . on every avoidance of St. Peter's chair, was sitting down therein, when suddenly some one or other clapped in before him. Fuller.…

The person who has a right to present to a benefice; the patron; an advowee. See Advowson.

One who proffers some illusory advantage or benefit. Also used as an adj.: Barmecidal. "A Barmecide feast." Dickens.

a gewgaw; that which is gay and showy without real value; a cheap, showy plaything. The ineffective bauble of an Indian pagod. Sheridan.

An almshouse for poor people who pray daily for their benefactors.

A neighborly gathering of people who engage in united labor for the benefit of an individual or family; as, a quilting bee; a husking bee; a raising bee. [U. S.] The cellar . . . was dug by a bee in a single day. S. G. Goodrich.

To act as a friend to; to favor; to aid, benefit, or countenance. By the darkness befriended. Longfellow.

Advantage; favor; stead; benefit; interest; profit; support; defense; vindication. In behalf of his mistress's beauty. Sir P. Sidney. Against whom he had contracted some prejudice in behalf of his nation. Clarendon. In behalf of, in the interest of. -- On behalf of, on account of; on the part of.

Advantage; profit; benefit; interest; use. No mean recompense it brings To your behoof. Milton.

e." John xiv. 1. (c) To believe that the qualities or effects of an action or state are beneficial: as, to believe in sea bathing, or in abstinence from alcoholic beverages. -- To believe on, to accept implicitly as an object of religious trust or obedience; to have faith in.

A bespeaking. Among actors, a benefit (when a particular play is bespoken.) "The night of her bespeak." Dickens.

To the most advantage; with the most success, case, profit, benefit, or propriety. Had we best retire I see a storm. Milton. Had I not best go to her Thackeray.

The prayer for the souls of benefactors, said before the sermon.