the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
n. A woman who confers a benefit.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
n. A female benefactor.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
n. a woman benefactor
Word Usage
"To these articles of intelligence she added, that the name of her benefactress was the celebrated Lady —, to whose character the youth was no stranger, though he had never seen her person before."