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BENEVOLENT
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Generous in assistance to the poor
Example:
philanthropic contributions
Synonyms:
beneficent; benevolent; eleemosynary; philanthropic
Classified under:
Similar:
charitable (full of love and generosity)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Generous in providing aid to others
Synonyms:
benevolent; freehearted
Classified under:
Similar:
generous (willing to give and share unstintingly)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
Example:
a large-hearted mentor
Synonyms:
benevolent; charitable; good-hearted; kindly; large-hearted; openhearted; sympathetic
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
kind (having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Intending or showing kindness
Example:
a benevolent society
Classified under:
Relational adjectives (pertainyms)
Pertainym:
benevolence (an act intending or showing kindness and good will)
Derivation:
benevolence (an act intending or showing kindness and good will)
Context examples:
Unfortunately an only son (for many years an only child), I was spoilt by my parents, who, though good themselves (my father, particularly, all that was benevolent and amiable), allowed, encouraged, almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing; to care for none beyond my own family circle; to think meanly of all the rest of the world; to wish at least to think meanly of their sense and worth compared with my own.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend.
(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)
She was a benevolent, charitable, good woman, and capable of strong attachments, most correct in her conduct, strict in her notions of decorum, and with manners that were held a standard of good-breeding.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
As this change stole on Annie, once like sunshine in the Doctor's house, the Doctor became older in appearance, and more grave; but the sweetness of his temper, the placid kindness of his manner, and his benevolent solicitude for her, if they were capable of any increase, were increased.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
As far as walking, talking, and contriving reached, she was thoroughly benevolent, and nobody knew better how to dictate liberality to others; but her love of money was equal to her love of directing, and she knew quite as well how to save her own as to spend that of her friends.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
With such an opinion, in confirmation of his own, Mr. Woodhouse hoped to influence every visitor of the newly married pair; but still the cake was eaten; and there was no rest for his benevolent nerves till it was all gone.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
I have forbidden Adele to talk to me about her presents, and she is bursting with repletion: have the goodness to serve her as auditress and interlocutrice; it will be one of the most benevolent acts you ever performed.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
Hold me up, Jo, for upon my life it's one too many for me, returned Laurie, regarding the infants with the air of a big, benevolent Newfoundland looking at a pair of infantile kittens.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
Believe me, Frankenstein, I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity; but am I not alone, miserably alone?
(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)
When he did, and came towards me, he looked at me thoughtfully for a few moments, evidently without thinking about me at all; and then his benevolent face expressed extraordinary pleasure, and he took me by both hands.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
