benefactor
(bɛnɪˈfæktə(r))
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 Longfellow 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 Shakes. 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. |