Benevolence Definition
bə-nĕvə-ləns
noun
An inclination to perform kind, charitable acts.
American Heritage
An inclination to do good; kindliness.
Webster's New World
A kindly act.
American Heritage
A kindly, charitable act or gift; beneficence.
Webster's New World
A gift given out of generosity.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
- good will
- altruism
- charity
- kindness
- benefaction
- unrevengefulness
- self-pity
- rewardingness
- forgivingness
- philanthropy
- kindheartedness
- grace
- goodwill
- charitableness
- benignity
Other Word Forms of Benevolence
Noun
Singular:
benevolence
Plural:
benevolencesOrigin of Benevolence
-
Circa 1400, original sense “good will, disposition to do good”, Old French benivolence from Latin benevolentia (also directly from Latin), literally “good will”, from bene (“well, good”) + volentia, form of volēns, form of volō (“I wish”), components cognate to English benefit and voluntary, more distantly will (via Proto-Indo-European).
From Wiktionary
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