benevolent
/bəˈnɛvələnt/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.34 in modern English
15
Scrabble Score
10
Letters
4
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
adj
Having a disposition to do good.
adj
Possessing or manifesting love for mankind.
adj
Altruistic, charitable, good, just and fair.
Example Sentences
- "Chinese and Eastern mythologies describe dragons as benevolent."
- "Benevolence? vvhich ſhall I be benevolent to; or vvhich firſt? I am puſſell'd in the choice."
- "This bill was not a gift from a benevolent legislature; it was a victory for the community which worked for its passage."
Etymology
From Old French benevolent, borrowed from Latin benevolēns ("benevolent"). Displaced native Old English welwillende (literally well-wishing).
Origin
- Source language: Latin
Word Breakdown
- Root: *welh₁-, benevolēns
Inflected Forms
more benevolent (comparative)
most benevolent (superlative)