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benefit: benefit: [14] The element bene- occurs in a wide variety of English words. It comes from Latin bene ‘well’, a close relative of Latin bonus ‘good’. Amongst its combinations are benediction [15], literally ‘saying well’, hence ‘blessing’, benefaction ‘doing well’ [17], and benevolent ‘wishing well’ [15]. Benefit is related to benefaction, since it too comes ultimately from Latin bene facere, but it took a more indirect route to English, from Latin benefactum ‘good deed’ via Old French bienfait and Anglo- Norman benfet.
benefice (n.): c. 1300, "a church living," from Old French benefice (13c.) and directly from Latin beneficium "a favor, service, generosity, kindness, benefit," from beneficus "generous, kind, benevolent, obliging," from bene- "good, well" (see bene-) + -ficus, from stem of -ficere, unstressed form of facere "to do, to make" (see factitious).
beneficence (n.): "quality of being beneficent, kind, charitable," mid-15c., from Latin beneficentia "kindness, generosity," a back-formation from beneficentior (see beneficent).
beneficent (adj.): 1610s, "doing good, charitable," probably from beneficent on model of magnificent, etc.
beneficial (adj.): mid-15c., "helpful, advantageous," from Middle French bénéficial and directly from Latin beneficialis "pertaining to a favor," from beneficium (see benefice). Related: Beneficially.
beneficiary: 1610s (n.), 1620s (adj.), probably via French bénéficiaire, from Latin beneficiarius "enjoying a favor, privileged," from beneficium (see benefice).
benefit (n.): late 14c., "good or noble deed," also "advantage, profit," from Anglo-French benfet "well-done," from Latin benefactum "good deed," from bene facere (see benefactor). Meaning "performance or entertainment to raise money for some charitable cause" is from 1680s.
benefit (v.): late 15c., from benefit (n.). Related: Benefited; benefiting.
benefits (n.): "financial support (especially for medical expenses) to which one is entitled through employment or membership," 1895, plural of benefit (n.).