benignant

American  

[bih-nig-nuhnt] / bɪˈnɪg nənt /

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.

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benignant British  

/ bɪˈnɪɡnənt /

adjective

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

2. a less common word for benign benign

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of benignant

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

Explanation

Someone who's benignant is goodhearted and kind. Your favorite teacher in elementary school was probably the most benignant of them all. When you're describing a lovely, warm person you can call her benignant, or even describe someone with a particularly sweet face as looking benignant. Another way to use this adjective is as a less common way to say "benign," or not harmful, especially in a medical sense — a benignant tumor, for example, is one that won't hurt you. Benignant, in fact, comes from benign, simply adding the ant on the model of malignant, or "dangerous, infectious, or cancerous."

Example Sentences

For in one of the mission chambers a venerable, white-haired invalid, with wrinkled, bespectacled eyes and a broad, benignant face, lay on what seemed likely to be his death bed.

From Time Magazine Archive

He had "a benignant smile" and was popular with his people.

From Time Magazine Archive

Boss McCooey takes a benignant interest in schools, got his sister Margaret on the Board of Superintendents.

From Time Magazine Archive

Radio's most untrammeled critic last week put out a little book that was, like himself, benignant but free from bunk.*

From Time Magazine Archive

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

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller