benevolent

From Old French benevolent, borrowed from Latin benevolēns ("benevolent"). Displaced native Old English welwillende (literally well-wishing).

• IPA^(key): /bəˈnɛvələnt/

• Audio (Mid-Atlantic US):

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benevolent (comparative more benevolent, superlative most benevolent)

1. Having a disposition to do good.

   Chinese and Eastern mythologies describe dragons as benevolent.

2. Possessing or manifesting love for mankind.
3. Altruistic, charitable, good, just and fair.
   • 1989 December 24, Kevin M. Cathcart, “Homophobia Never Innocent”, in Gay Community News, volume 17, number 24, page 5:

     This bill was not a gift from a benevolent legislature; it was a victory for the community which worked for its passage.

• malevolent

• English terms derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *welh₁- (0 c, 16 e)
• benefactor
• beneficent

• well-wisher