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An act of kindness; a favor conferred. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Ps. ciii. 2.

A society or association formed for mutual insurance, as among tradesmen or in labor unions, to provide for relief in sickness, old age, and for the expenses of burial. Usually called friendly society in Great Britain.

One who confers a benefit; -- also, one who receives a benefit.

ber. It is lamentable to remember what abundance of noble blood hath been shed with small benefit to the Christian state. Raleigh.

To own with gratitude or as a benefit or an obligation; as, to acknowledge a favor, the receipt of a letter. They his gifts acknowledged none. Milton.

The owning of a benefit received; courteous recognition; expression of thanks. Shak.

mstance, opportunity, or means, particularly favorable to success, or to any desired end; benefit; as, the enemy had the advantage of a more elevated position. Give me advantage of some brief discourse. Shak. The advantages of a close alliance. Macaulay.

exed; adjunct; concomitant; as, a seal appendant to a paper. As they have transmitted the benefit to us, it is but reasonable we should suffer the appendant calamity. Jer. Taylor.

to claim or use as by an exclusive right; as, let no man appropriate the use of a common benefit.

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

to 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.

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

property 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.

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

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

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.