1. Advantage; privilege (the benefit of owning a car).
2. Profit or gain; esp., the consideration that moves to the promisee (a benefit received from the sale).
— Also termed legal benefit; legal value. Cf. DETRIMENT(2).
death benefit. (usu. pl.) A sum or sums paid to a beneficiary from a life-insurance policy on the death of an insured.
fringe benefit. A benefit (other than direct salary or compensation) received by an employee from an employer, such as insurance, a company car, or a tuition allowance. — Often shortened (esp. in pl.) to benefit. [Cases: Master and Servant 72. C.J.S. Employer–Employee Relationship §§ 146–152, 155, 175.]
general benefit. Eminent domain. The whole community’s benefit as a result of a taking. • It cannot be considered to reduce the compensation that is due the condemnee. [Cases: Eminent Domain 91. C.J.S. Eminent Domain § 85.]
peculiar benefit. See special benefit.
pecuniary benefit. A benefit capable of monetary valuation.
special benefit. Eminent domain. A benefit that accrues to the owner of the land in question and not to any others. • Any special benefits justify a reduction in the damages payable to the owner of land that is partially taken by the government during a public project.
— Also termed peculiar benefit. [Cases: Eminent Domain 91. C.J.S. Eminent Domain § 85.]
3. Financial assistance that is received from an employer, insurance, or a public program (such as social security) in time of sickness, disability, or unemployment (a benefit from the welfare office). [Cases: Social Security and Public Welfare 140.5, 251. C.J.S. Social Security and Public Welfare §§ 48–49, 58–59, 61, 146–150, 211.] — benefit, vb.
