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benign

 - 5 dictionary results

be⋅nign

  [bi-nahyn]
Use benign in a Sentence
–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; ME benigne < AF, OF benigne (fem.), benin (masc.) < L benignus kind, generous, equiv. to beni-, comb. form of bonus good (see bene- ) + -gnus, deriv. of the base of gignere to beget (see genitor, genus ), hence, perh., “good by nature”; cf. malign

Related forms:
be⋅nign⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. good, kindly, benignant, benevolent, tender, humane, gentle, compassionate.

Antonyms:
3. sinister.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To benign
be·nign   (bĭ-nīn')   
adj.  

  1. Of a kind and gentle disposition.

  2. Showing gentleness and mildness. See Synonyms at kind1.

  3. Tending to exert a beneficial influence; favorable: a policy with benign consequences for the economy. See Synonyms at favorable.

  4. Having little or no detrimental effect; harmless: a chemical additive that is environmentally benign.

  5. Medicine Of no danger to health; not recurrent or progressive; not malignant: a benign tumor.


[Middle English benigne, from Old French, from Latin benignus; see genə- in Indo-European roots.]
be·nign'ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: be·nign
Pronunciation: bi-'nIn
Function: adjective
1 : of a mild type or character that does not threaten health or life<benign malaria> benign tumor> —compare MALIGNANT 1
2 : having a goodprognosis : responding favorably to treatment benign psychosis>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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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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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.
Cite This Source
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