benignant

[bih-nig-nuhnt]

adjective

1. kind, especially to inferiors; gracious.

   a benignant sovereign.

   Synonyms: charitable, generous, benign, benevolent

2. exerting a good influence; beneficial.

   the benignant authority of the new president.

3. Pathology.,  benign.

benignant

/ bɪˈnɪɡnənt /

adjective

1. kind; gracious, as a king to his subjects

2. a less common word for benign benign

Other Word Forms

• benignancy noun
• benignantly adverb
• unbenignant adjective
• unbenignantly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of benignant¹

1775–85; benign + -ant, modeled on malignant

Example Sentences

No notice was taken of Amy’s flight, except by her mates, but the sharp-eyed demoiselles discovered that Mr. Davis was quite benignant in the afternoon, also unusually nervous.

Read more on Literature

The benignant influence crept like gas through the Row.

Read more on Literature

General Peckem roused himself after a moment with an unctuous and benignant smile.

Read more on Literature

“The fame of Washington stands apart from every other in history,” Irving pronounced, “shining with a truer luster and a more benignant glory.”

Read more on Salon

As most benignant benefactor ranks The man who saves our own sweet countryside— At once our chiefest glory and our pride— From all the many nauseating ills Which come out of advertisements of pills!

Read more on Project Gutenberg