2 definitions found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Benevolent \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.
From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]:
benevolent
adj 1: doing or producing good [syn: {beneficent}, {gracious}]
2: intending or showing kindness; "a benevolent society"
3: having or showing or arising from a desire to promote the
welfare or happiness of others "his benevolent smile"; "a
benevolent nature" [syn: {good}] [ant: {malevolent}]
4: generous in providing aid to others [syn: {freehearted}]
5: generous in assistance to the poor; "a benevolent
contributor"; "eleemosynary relief"; "philanthropic
contributions" [syn: {beneficent}, {eleemosynary}, {philanthropic}]
more about benevolent
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