benefit

The story

1. Old French · derived frombienfet
2. Middle French · derived frombienfait
3. Anglo-Norman · derived frombenfet“well-done”
4. Middle English · inherited frombenefytt
5. English todaybenefit

From Late Middle English benefytt, benefett, alteration (due to Latin bene-) of benfet, bienfet, bienfait (“good or noble deed”), from Anglo-Norman benfet (“well-done”), Middle French bienfait, from Old French bienfet, bienfait (“foredeal, favour”), from past participle of bienfaire (“to do good, do well”), from bien (“well”) + faire (“to do”), modelled after Latin benefactum (“good deed”). More at benefactor.