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adj. 1. Producing or promoting a favorable result; advantageous: a trade agreement beneficial to all countries. 2. Law Involving the receipt of funds, property, or other benefits, as from an insurance policy or trust. n. beneficials Organisms that are beneficial to a human endeavor, especially insects that are predators of pests. [Middle English, from Old French beneficial, from Late Latin beneficiālis, from Latin beneficium, benefit; see BENEFICE.] ben′e·ficial·ly adv. ben′e·ficial·ness n. |
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