beneficiary

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   having or arising from a benefice

   a beneficiary baron

2. 2
   noun

   One who benefits or receives an advantage.

   You are the lucky beneficiary of this special offer.

3. 3
   noun

   One who benefits from the distribution, especially out of a trust or estate.

   If any beneficiary does not survive the settlor for a period of 30 days then the trustee shall distribute that beneficiary’s share to the surviving beneficiaries by right of representation.

4. 4
   adj

   Holding some office or valuable possession, in subordination to another; holding under a feudal or other superior; having a dependent and secondary possession.

   a feudatory or beneficiary king of England

5. 5
   adj

   Bestowed as a gratuity.

   beneficiary gifts

6. 6
   noun

   the semantic role of the intended recipient who benefits from the happening denoted by the verb in the clause

7. 7
   noun

   the recipient of funds or other benefits

8. 8
   noun

   One who benefits from the payout of an insurance policy.

Etymology

From Latin beneficiarius (“enjoying a favor, granted a privilege”) from beneficium (“benefit”), perhaps via or influenced by French bénéficiaire (“beneficiary”). Indirectly, by way of the etymology of the Latin word beneficium, the English word beneficiary ultimately has the same origin as the English word benefactor, its near antonym.