benefactor

in a sentence

Harvard College was established in 1636 and named for its first benefactor, John Harvard, a young minister who left his library and half his estate to the college.

...let us bow our heads in silent prayer for our benefactor Sam Westing, alias Sandy the doorman.  (source) Ellen Raskin, The Westing Game, 1978

My mother graciously thanked the unknown benefactor, saying, "Too good."  (source) Amy Tan, The Joy Luck Club, 1989

Let him live outside his income, or shirk the resolute honest work that brings wages, and he will presently find himself dreaming of a possible benefactor, a possible simpleton who may be cajoled into using his interest, a possible state of mind in some possible person not yet forthcoming.  (source) George Eliot, Silas Marner, 1861

He has tonight earned an eminent place in the roll of the benefactors of our town; and he is worthy of many imperishable songs.  (source) J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, 1937

He was not insolent to his benefactor, he was simply insensible; though knowing perfectly the hold he had on his heart, and conscious he had only to speak and all the house would be obliged to bend to his wishes.  (source) Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights, 1846

I felt ashamed to appear before my benefactors so clad.  (source) Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre, 1847

We followed our bathrobed benefactor across the expansive moonlit courtyard.†  (source) Ernest Cline, Ready Player One, 2011

Don't you thank me, don't you give me no credit; it all belongs to them dear people in Pokeville camp-meeting, natural brothers and benefactors of the race, and that dear preacher there, the truest friend a pirate ever had!  (source) Mark Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, 1884

Gracious and most golden one, he says — the beggar's standard address to a prospective benefactor — rumour of your extreme beauty has brought me here, though simply by being here my life is forfeit.†  (source) Margaret Atwood, The Blind Assassin, 2000

Most of the benches bore the names of benefactors—in memory of Mrs. Ruth Klein or whatever —but my mother's bench, the Rendezvous Point, alone of all the benches in that part of the park had been given by its anonymous donor a more mysterious and welcoming message: EVERYTHING OF POSSIBILITY.†  (source) Donna Tartt, The Goldfinch, 2013

And if my benefactor gave me no account number?†  (source) Dan Brown, The Da Vinci Code, 2003

The director had told him once that the Home was financed by "religious benefactors."†  (source) Judith Guest, Ordinary People, 1976