Beneficial, a.
Etymology: [Cf. F. bénéficial, LL. beneficialis.]
1. Conferring benefits; useful; profito. The war which would have been most beneficial to us. Swift.
2. (Law)
Receiving, or entitled to have or receive, advantage, use, or benefit; as, the beneficial owner of an estate. Kent.
3. King. [Obs.] "A beneficial foe." B. Jonson.
1 more senses
Syn. -- See Advantage.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists beneficial only as an antonym, under pernicious, vain.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.
Synonyms
none given