From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Benevolent \Be*nev"o*lent\, a. [L. benevolens, -entis; bene well
(adv. of bonus good) + volens, p. pr. of volo I will, I wish.
See {Bounty}, and {Voluntary}.]
Having a disposition to do good; possessing or manifesting
love to mankind, and a desire to promote their prosperity and
happiness; disposed to give to good objects; kind;
charitable. -- {Be*nev"o*lent*ly}, adv.
[1913 Webster]
Syn: {Benevolent}, {Beneficent}.
Usage: Etymologically considered, benevolent implies wishing
well to others, and beneficent, doing well. But by
degrees the word benevolent has been widened to
include not only feelings, but actions; thus, we speak
of benevolent operations, benevolent labors for the
public good, benevolent societies. In like manner,
beneficent is now often applied to feelings; thus, we
speak of the beneficent intentions of a donor. This
extension of the terms enables us to mark nicer shades
of meaning. Thus, the phrase "benevolent labors" turns
attention to the source of these labors, viz.,
benevolent feeling; while beneficent would simply mark
them as productive of good. So, "beneficent
intentions" point to the feelings of the donor as bent
upon some specific good act; while "benevolent
intentions" would only denote a general wish and
design to do good.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
benevolent
adj 1: intending or showing kindness; "a benevolent society"
2: showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and
generosity; "was charitable in his opinions of others";
"kindly criticism"; "a kindly act"; "sympathetic words"; "a
large-hearted mentor" [syn: {charitable}, {benevolent},
{kindly}, {sympathetic}, {good-hearted}, {openhearted},
{large-hearted}]
3: generous in providing aid to others [syn: {benevolent},
{freehearted}]
4: generous in assistance to the poor; "a benevolent
contributor"; "eleemosynary relief"; "philanthropic
contributions" [syn: {beneficent}, {benevolent},
{eleemosynary}, {philanthropic}]
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