be·nev·o·lent

[buh-nev-uh-luhnt]
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 Middle English < Latin benevolent- (stem of benevolēns) kindhearted (bene- bene- + vol- wish (akin to will1) + -ent- -ent)

be·nev·o·lent·ly, adverb
be·nev·o·lent·ness, noun
non·be·nev·o·lent, adjective
non·be·nev·o·lent·ly, adverb
pseu·do·be·nev·o·lent, adjective
pseu·do·be·nev·o·lent·ly, adverb
qua·si-be·nev·o·lent, adjective
qua·si-be·nev·o·lent·ly, adverb
su·per·be·nev·o·lent, adjective
su·per·be·nev·o·lent·ly, adverb
un·be·nev·o·lent, adjective
un·be·nev·o·lent·ly, adverb

beneficent, beneficial, benevolent.


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


cruel.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To benevolently
00:10
Benevolently is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal.
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
Collins
World English Dictionary
benevolent (bɪˈnɛvələnt) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
adj
1.  intending or showing goodwill; kindly; friendly: a benevolent smile; a benevolent old man
2.  doing good or giving aid to others, rather than making profit; charitable: a benevolent organization
 
[C15: from Latin benevolēns, from bene well + velle to wish]
 
be'nevolently
 
adv

benevolent (bɪˈnɛvələnt) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
adj
1.  intending or showing goodwill; kindly; friendly: a benevolent smile; a benevolent old man
2.  doing good or giving aid to others, rather than making profit; charitable: a benevolent organization
 
[C15: from Latin benevolēns, from bene well + velle to wish]
 
be'nevolently
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

benevolent
late 15c., "wishing to do good, kindly," from O.Fr. benevolent, from L. benevolentem (nom. benevolens) "wishing (someone) well, benevolent," related to benevolentia "good feeling" (see benevolence).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Example sentences
In the poem, the albatross benevolently fills the ship's sails with wind and aids its progress.
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