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.
English History.
a forced contribution to the sovereign.
Origin of benevolence
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Latin word
benevolentia. See
benevolent,
-ence
OTHER WORDS FROM benevolence
non·be·nev·o·lence, noun su·per·be·nev·o·lence, noun un·be·nev·o·lence, nounWords nearby benevolence
benefit society,
benelux,
benemid,
benempt,
benevento,
benevolence,
benevolent,
benevolent and protective order of elks,
benevolent sexism,
beneš,
benfleet
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