benefactorn.
/bɛnɪˈfaktə/ 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.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > [noun] > that which or one who helps or means of help > a helper
helpend971
recurera1382
undertaker1382
bootc1420
profitera1425
suffrage1445
supplier1456
aidant1477
aider1483
adjutor1531
benefactor1532
assistant?1541
servant1562
aid1569
adjument1576
adjuvant1583
familiar1583
adjoint1603
opitulator1624
adjutator1832
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > [noun] > person
well-willing1340
good doerc1400
well-doerc1400
sootc1430
well-willer1443
benefeterc1449
benevoler?1488
benefactor1532
good-willera1541
well-wisher?1576
ministering angel1592
well-meaner1597
angel1598
obliger1634
Samaritan1640
well-woulder1643
obligator1798
benevolist1825
living doll1961
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > patronage > [noun] > patron
avowe1297
avowrya1387
setter-forth1451
fautora1464
patron1466
presidenta1522
benefactor1532
patronizer1596
favourer1625
patroona1641
good fairy1716
fairy godfather1847
avoué1851
tall relative1976
1532 W. Tyndale Expos. & Notes (1849) 71 It is not inough for thee to loue thy benefactors only.
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. I3 There was not a greater admirer of learning or Benefactor of Learning. View more context for this quotation
1769 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) II. xxxv. 40 They..have..transferred their gratitude from their parents to their benefactors.
1849 T. B. 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.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social attitudes > philanthropy > [noun] > charitableness or alms-giving > charitable person or almsgiver
almoner1340
dispender1340
almsgiverc1400
almsman1440
almswoman1440
benefactora1513
charitarian1859
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) II. f. cxviiiv Quene Philyp..The which was a great benefactour vnto the Chanons of syent Stephans Chapell at Westmynster.
1626 F. Bacon New Atlantis (1650) 33 These we call Dowry-men or Benefactors.
1752 S. Johnson Rambler No. 197. ⁋9 I was..inquiring the age of my future benefactors or considering how I should employ their legacies.
1851 H. W. Longfellow Golden Legend iv. 183 Whose tomb is that, Which bears the brass escutcheon? A benefactor's.
3. With reference to the etymology: a well-doer.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > [noun] > right action or well-doing > a doer of good
good doer1340
well-worker1555
benefactora1616
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) ii. i. 49 Well: What Benefactors are they? Are they not Malefactors? View more context for this quotation
1870 J. Cameron Phases Thought 160 Books are to us according as we deal with them—malefactors or benefactors.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
<
n.a1513