When someone gives a 'benefit' for someone, who's the 'benefiter'....the one that's giving it, or the one receiving it?

I looked up the meaning of 'benefiter' in Merrian Webster, but all it says is that it's a noun, with no other explanation.

Thanks

Harvard edu defines benefiter:

quote:

Benefiter (n.) One who confers a benefit; -- also, one who receives a benefit.

See here

'Beneficiary' means only the recipient of a benefit.

Thank you both for such quick responses. The one that's giving it is what I needed to know but I got confused. According to Clare's link, it can apply to either one. Thanks a million.

I prefer th terms benefactor and beneficiary. Benefiter does not seem to be commonly used.

That's what comes of inventing unnecessary nouns 'Benefiter' is not in the [Shorter] Oxford English Dictionary. 'Benefactor' is the donor of the benefit and 'beneficiary' is the recipient.

I have to admit that I've never heard the word benefiter before. I'm with Fuse and Fred.

Thanks Fuse, Fred, and Dorian, too.