Benevolent - Definitions from Dictionary.com

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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

be·nev·o·lent

Audio Help [buh-nev-uh-luh

nt] Pronunciation Key

–adjective

1.	characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings: a benevolent attitude; her benevolent smile.

2.	desiring to help others; charitable: gifts from several benevolent alumni.

3.	intended for benefits rather than profit: a benevolent institution.

[Origin: 1425–75; late ME < L benevolent- (s. of benevoléns) kindhearted (bene- bene- + vol- wish (akin to will¹) + -ent- -ent)

]

—Related forms

be·nev·o·lent·ly, adverb

be·nev·o·lent·ness, noun

—Synonyms 2. good, kind, humane, generous, liberal, benign, philanthropic, altruistic.

—Antonyms cruel.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Benevolent

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

be·nev·o·lent Audio Help (bə-něv'ə-lənt) Pronunciation Key
adj.

Characterized by or suggestive of doing good.
Of, concerned with, or organized for the benefit of charity.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin benevolēns, benevolent- : bene, well; see deu-² in Indo-European roots + volēns, present participle of velle, to wish; see wel-¹ in Indo-European roots.]

be·nev'o·lent·ly adv.

Synonyms: These adjectives mean of, concerned with, providing, or provided by charity: a benevolent fund; a charitable foundation; eleemosynary relief; philanthropic contributions. See Also Synonyms at kind¹.

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

benevolent
adjective
1.	intending or showing kindness; "a benevolent society"
2.	showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity; "was charitable in his opinions of others"; "kindly criticism"; "a kindly act"; "sympathetic words"; "a large-hearted mentor" [syn: charitable]
3.	generous in providing aid to others
4.	generous in assistance to the poor; "a benevolent contributor"; "eleemosynary relief"; "philanthropic contributions" [syn: beneficent]

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
beˈnevolent adjective

Example: a benevolent father

Arabic:	مُحْسِن، مُحِبٌّ للخَيْر
Chinese (Simplified):	仁慈的
Chinese (Traditional):	仁慈的
Czech:	laskavý, dobročinný, shovívavý
Danish:	godhjertet; generøs
Dutch:	goedgunstig, welwillend
Estonian:	heatahtlik
Finnish:	hyvänsuopa
French:	bienveillant
German:	wohlwollend
Greek:	καλοσυνάτος
Hungarian:	jóindulatú
Icelandic:	góðgjarn
Indonesian:	dermawan
Italian:	benevolo

Japanese:	情深い
Korean:	?岷囹恝î
Latvian:	labvēlīgs; augstsirdīgs
Lithuanian:	gero linkintis, palankus
Norwegian:	sjenerøs, veldedig; vennlig
Polish:	łaskawy
Portuguese (Brazil):	benevolente
Portuguese (Portugal):	benevolente
Romanian:	binevoitor, mărinimos
Russian:	доброжелательный
Slovak:	benevolentný, zhovievavý
Slovenian:	dobrohoten
Spanish:	benévolo
Swedish:	välvillig, god
Turkish:	cömert, yardımsever