In ecclesiastical law . In its technical sense, this term includes ecclesiastical preferments to which rank or public office is attached, otherwise described as ecclesiastical dignities or offices, such as bishoprics, deaneries, and the like; but in popular acceptation, it is almost invariably appropriated to rectories, vicarages, perpetual curacies, district churches, and endowed ehapelries. 3 Steph. Comm. 77. “Benefice” is a term derived from the feudal law, in which it signified a permanent stipendiary estate, or an estate held by feu dal tenure. 3 Steph. Comm. 77, note, i; 4 Bl. Comm. 107.
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
