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adjective
1.
having a kindly disposition; gracious: a benign king.
2.
showing or expressive of gentleness or kindness: a benign smile.
3.
favorable; propitious: a series of benign omens and configurations in the heavens.
4.
(of weather) salubrious; healthful; pleasant or beneficial.
5.
Pathology. not malignant; self-limiting.
Origin:
1275–1325; Middle English benigne < Anglo-French, Old French benigne (feminine), benin (masculine) < Latin benignus kind, generous, equivalent to beni-, combining form of bonus good (see bene-) + -gnus, derivative of the base of gignere to beget (see genitor, genus), hence, perhaps, “good by nature”; compare malign
1275–1325; Middle English benigne < Anglo-French, Old French benigne (feminine), benin (masculine) < Latin benignus kind, generous, equivalent to beni-, combining form of bonus good (see bene-) + -gnus, derivative of the base of gignere to beget (see genitor, genus), hence, perhaps, “good by nature”; compare malign
Related forms
be·nign·ly, adverb
su·per·be·nign, adjective
su·per·be·nign·ly, adverb
un·be·nign, adjective
un·be·nign·ly, adverb
Synonyms
1. good, kindly, benignant, benevolent, tender, humane, gentle, compassionate.
1. good, kindly, benignant, benevolent, tender, humane, gentle, compassionate.
Antonyms
3. sinister.
3. sinister.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Benign
is a GRE word you need to know.
So is petulant. Does it mean:
| moved to or showing sudden, impatient irritation, especially over some trifling annoyance |
| to soil or tarnish; to detract from the honor or luster of |
Example Sentences
- The second jolt came in the form of a benign tumor the size of a golf ball.
- You guys are being comically defensive about what was originally a fairly benign statement.
- Historically, most deflations have been benign, caused by technological innovation and associated with robust growth.
Collins
World English Dictionary
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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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
benign be·nign (bĭ-nīn')
adj.
Of no danger to health, especially relating to a tumorous growth; not malignant.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
benign  (bĭ-nīn') Pronunciation Key
Not life-threatening or severe, and likely to respond to treatment, as a tumor that is not malignant. Compare malignant. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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American Heritage
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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