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noun

bene

been

Bene (noun) means a prayer or humble request, especially one addressed to God (archaic). Example: “The monk knelt each evening to say his bene before sleep.”

noun
1
A prayer or humble request, especially one addressed to God (archaic).
"The monk knelt each evening to say his bene before sleep."
adjective
1
Good (archaic and dialectal).
"The old farmer called it a bene harvest, better than he'd hoped."

How to use bene

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn old word for a prayer or request, or, separately, an old dialect word for "good."

When to use it

Archaic and rarely used today except in historical texts or regional dialect.

Easily confused with

Word forms

benar comparative, benes plural, benes plural, Benes plural, benat superlative

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Test yourself on “bene” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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The monk knelt each evening to say his _____ before sleep.

Etymology

From Old English ben, "prayer or petition," related to the modern word "boon."

Origin: Old English

Rhymes for bene

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Frequently asked questions

What does “bene” mean?

The word “bene” means a prayer or humble request, especially one addressed to God (archaic). In plain terms, an old word for a prayer or request, or, separately, an old dialect word for "good.".

How do you pronounce “bene”?

“Bene” is pronounced been (/biːn/ in IPA).

How do you use “bene” in a sentence?

Here is “bene” used in a sentence: “The monk knelt each evening to say his bene before sleep.”

What part of speech is “bene”?

Depending on how it is used, “bene” can be a noun and an adjective.

Where does the word “bene” come from?

The word “bene” comes from Old English. From Old English ben, "prayer or petition," related to the modern word "boon.".

How many meanings does “bene” have?

“Bene” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a prayer or humble request, especially one addressed to God (archaic).

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