benign

[ bih-nahyn ]
/ bɪˈnaɪn /

adjective

having a kindly disposition; gracious: a benign king.
showing or expressive of gentleness or kindness: a benign smile.
favorable; propitious: a series of benign omens and configurations in the heavens.
(of weather) salubrious; healthful; pleasant or beneficial.
Pathology. not malignant; self-limiting.

Origin of benign

1275–1325; Middle English benigne < Anglo-French, Old French benigne (feminine), benin (masculine) < Latin benignus kind, generous, equivalent to beni-, combining form of bonus good (see bene-) + -gnus, derivative of the base of gignere to beget (see genitor, genus), hence, perhaps, “good by nature”; cf. malign

OTHER WORDS FROM benign

Example sentences from the Web for benignly

British Dictionary definitions for benignly

benign
/ (bɪˈnaɪn) /

adjective

showing kindliness; genial
(of soil, climate, etc) mild; gentle
favourable; propitious
pathol (of a tumour, etc) not threatening to life or health; not malignant

Derived forms of benign

benignly, adverb

Word Origin for benign

C14: from Old French benigne, from Latin benignus, from bene well + gignere to produce

Medical definitions for benignly

benign
[ bĭ-nīn ]

adj.

Of no danger to health, especially relating to a tumorous growth; not malignant.

Scientific definitions for benignly

benign
[ bĭ-nīn ]

Not life-threatening or severe, and likely to respond to treatment, as a tumor that is not malignant. Compare malignant.

Cultural definitions for benignly

benign
[ (bi-neyen) ]

A descriptive term for conditions that present no danger to life or well-being. Benign is the opposite of malignant.

notes for benign

The term benign is used when describing tumors or growths that do not threaten the health of an individual.