Benefice vs. Incumbent — What's the Difference?

A benefice () or living is a reward received in exchange for services rendered and as a retainer for future services. The Roman Empire used the Latin term beneficium as a benefit to an individual from the Empire for services rendered.

The incumbent is the current holder of an office or position, usually in relation to an election. For example, in an election for president, the incumbent is the person holding or acting in the office of president before the election, whether seeking re-election or not.

A church office endowed with fixed capital assets that provide a living.

Imposed as an obligation or duty; obligatory

The revenue from such assets.

Lying, leaning, or resting on something else

A landed estate granted in feudal tenure.

Currently holding a specified office

Land granted to a priest in a church that has a source of income attached to it.

A person who holds an office or ecclesiastical benefice

(obsolete) A favour or benefit.

(Used with "on" or "upon") Imposed on someone as an obligation, especially due to one's office.

(feudal law) An estate in lands; a fief.

Lying; resting; reclining; recumbent.

To bestow a benefice upon

Prevalent, prevailing, predominant.

A favor or benefit.

Resting on something else; in botany, said of anthers when lying on the inner side of the filament, or of cotyledons when the radicle lies against the back of one of them

An estate in lands; a fief.

(zoology) Bent downwards so that the ends touch, or rest on, something else.

An ecclesiastical living and church preferment, as in the Church of England; a church endowed with a revenue for the maintenance of divine service. See Advowson.

Being the current holder of an office or a title.

To endow with a benefice.

The current holder of an office, such as ecclesiastical benefice or an elected office.

An endowed church office giving income to its holder

(business) A holder of a position as supplier to a market or market segment that allows the holder to earn above-normal profits.

Endow with a benefice

Lying; resting; reclining; recumbent; superimposed; superincumbent.

Lying, resting, or imposed, as a duty or obligation; obligatory; always with on or upon.

Leaning or resting; - said of anthers when lying on the inner side of the filament, or of cotyledons when the radicle lies against the back of one of them.

Bent downwards so that the ends touch, or rest on, something else; as, the incumbent toe of a bird.

A person who is in present possession of a benefice or of any office.

The official who holds an office

Lying or leaning on something else;

Currently holding an office;