benevolence
[ buh-nev-uh-luhns ]
/ bəˈnɛv ə ləns /
noun
desire to do good to others; goodwill; charitableness: to be filled with benevolence toward one's fellow creatures.
an act of kindness; a charitable gift: She bequeathed many benevolences from her vast fortune.
English History. a forced contribution to the sovereign.
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Origin of benevolence
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin benevolentia; see origin at benevolent, -ence
OTHER WORDS FROM benevolence
non·be·nev·o·lence, nounsu·per·be·nev·o·lence, nounun·be·nev·o·lence, nounWords nearby benevolence
Benemid, benempt, Beneš, Benét, Benevento, benevolence, benevolent, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, benevolent sexism, Benfleet, Beng.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for benevolence
British Dictionary definitions for benevolence
benevolence
/ (bɪˈnɛvələns) /
noun
inclination or tendency to help or do good to others; charity
an act of kindness
(in the Middle Ages) a forced loan or contribution exacted by English kings from their nobility and subjects
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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