Also 5 -our. [a. L. benefactor, f. benefacĕre: see BENEFIT.]
1. One who renders aid or kindly service to others, a friendly helper; one who advances the interests of a cause or institution, a patron.
1532. Tindale, Expos. & Notes (1849), 71. It is not inough for thee to loue thy benefactors only.
1605. Bacon, Adv. Learn., I. vii. § 5. There was not a greater admirer of learning or benefactor of learning.
1769. Junius, Lett., xxxv. 159. They … have transferred their gratitude from their parents to their benefactors.
1848. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 362. The greatest of all the benefactors of his city.
2. esp. One who makes a benefaction to a charitable or religious institution; one who makes a bequest or endowment.
1494. Fabyan, VII. 480. Quene Philyp … the which was a great benefactour vnto the Chanons of Seynt Stephans Chapell at Westmynster.
1626. Bacon, New Atl. (1650), 33. These we call Dowry-men or Benefactors.
1752. Johnson, Rambl., No. 197, ¶ 9. I was … inquiring the age of my future benefactors or considering how I should employ their legacies.
1851. Longf., Gold. Leg., 132. Whose tomb is that, Which bears the brass escutcheon? A benefactor’s.
3. With reference to the etymology: A well-doer.
1603. Shaks., Meas. for M., II. i. 50. Well: What Benefactors are they? Are they not Malefactors?
1870. J. Cameron, Phases of Th., 160. Books are to us according as we deal with them—malefactors or benefactors.
