Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
BENEFIT
I. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French benfet, from Latin bene factum, from neuter of bene factus, past participle of bene facere
Date: 14th century
an act of kindness ; benefaction ,
2. something that promotes well-being ; advantage , useful aid ; help ,
3. financial help in time of sickness, old age, or unemployment, a payment or service provided for under an annuity, pension plan, or insurance policy, a service (as health insurance) or right (as to take vacation time) provided by an employer in addition to wages or salary, an entertainment or social event to raise funds for a person or cause,
II. verb (benefited; also -fitted; -fiting; also -fitting)
Date: 15th century
transitive verb to be useful or profitable to, intransitive verb to receive benefit , benefiter noun