Definitions for: Benevolent


[adj] having or showing or arising from a desire to promote the welfare or happiness of others; "his benevolent smile"; "a benevolent nature"
[adj] generous in assistance to the poor; "a benevolent contributor"; "eleemosynary relief"; "philanthropic contributions"
[adj] generous in providing aid to others
[adj] doing or producing good
[adj] intending or showing kindness; "a benevolent society"



Webster (1913) Definition: Be*nev"o*lent, a. [L. benevolens, -entis; bene well
(adv. of bonus good) + volens, p. pr. of volo I will, I wish.
See Bounty, and Voluntary.]
Having a disposition to do good; possessing or manifesting
love to mankind, and a desire to promote their prosperity and
happiness; disposed to give to good objects; kind;
charitable. -- Be*nev"o*lent*ly, adv.

Syn: Benevolent, Beneficent.

Usage: Etymologically considered, benevolent implies wishing
well to others, and beneficent, doing well. But by
degrees the word benevolent has been widened to
include not only feelings, but actions; thus, we speak
of benevolent operations, benevolent labors for the
public good, benevolent societies. In like manner,
beneficent is now often applied to feelings; thus, we
speak of the beneficent intentions of a donor. This
extension of the terms enables us to mark nicer shades
of meaning. Thus, the phrase ``benevolent labors''
turns attention to the source of these labors, viz.,
benevolent feeling; while beneficent would simply mark
them as productive of good. So, ``beneficent
intentions'' point to the feelings of the donor as
bent upon some specific good act; while ``benevolent
intentions'' would only denote a general wish and
design to do good.

Synonyms: eleemosynary, freehearted, generous, good, good-hearted, gracious, kind, kindly, openhearted, philanthropic

Antonyms: malevolent, malicious

See Also: beneficent, charitable

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