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Rh In English law. An ancient writ, which was addressed by the king to the lord chancellor, to bestow the benefice that should first fall in the royal gift, above or under a specified value, upon a person named therein. Reg. Orig. 307.

In early feudal law. A benefice; a permanent stipendiary estate; the same with what was afterwards called a "fief," "feud," or "fee." 3 Steph. Comm. 77, note i; Spelman.

In the civil law. A benefit or favor; any particular privilege. Dig. 1, 4, 3: Cod. 7, 71; Mackeld. Rom. Law, § 196.

A general term applied to ecclesiastical livings. 4 Bl. Comm. 107; Cowell.

Hob. 148. A remuneration [is] not given, unless on account of a duty performed.

Advantage; profit; privilege. Fitch v. Bates, 11 Barb. (N. Y.) 473; Synod of Dakota v. State, 2 S. D. 366, 50 N. W. 632, 14 L. R. A. 418; Winthrop Co. v. Clinton, 196 Pa. 472, 46 Atl. 435, 79 Am. St. Rep. 729.