benevolent

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++be·nev·o·lent /bəˈnevələnt/ adjective KINDkind and generous 仁慈的，仁爱的；乐善好施的 A benevolent uncle paid for her to have music lessons. 一位叔叔慷慨解囊，出钱供她上音乐课。 a benevolent smile 慈祥的笑容► see thesaurus at kind —benevolence noun [uncountable] —benevolently adverb

Examples from the Corpus

benevolent• Deep down inside, you see, I still believed that life was basically benevolent.• The integration of state and society favoured a benevolent and expansive concept of the role of the state.• Despite the fear abductees have experienced, the Greys are benevolent, Brown said.• Work / family programs are typically benevolent in intent but difficult to justify in business terms.• a benevolent, kindly man• Arthur Jaffe was not a benevolent man at the best of times.• Instead of yelling, try a benevolent silence.• He smiled in a benevolent sort of way when he said this.• money for benevolent workOrigin benevolent (1400-1500) Latin bene “well” + volens (present participle of velle “to wish”)

be·nev·o·lent adjectiveChineseSyllable

and Corpus generous kind

benevolent
be‧nev‧o‧lent /bəˈnevələnt, bɪˈnevələnt/

adjective

Date: 1400-1500
Language: Latin
Origin: bene 'well' + volens (present participle of velle 'to wish')

kind and generous:

A benevolent uncle paid for her to have music lessons.

a benevolent smile
—benevolence noun [uncountable]
—benevolently adverb

THESAURUS

   ▪ kind someone who is kind tries to help people and make them happy or comfortable, and shows that they care about them: They were very kind to us and let us stay in their house as long as we liked. | a kind old lady | a kind thing to say
   ▪ nice especially spoken friendly and kind. Nice is very common in everyday spoken English and is often used instead of kind: Everyone has been so nice to me. | It’s nice of you to invite me here. | He seems such a nice man.
   ▪ generous kind because you give people money, presents etc: ‘I’ll pay for the meal.’ ‘That’s very generous of you.’ | a generous gift
   ▪ considerate thinking about other people’s feelings, and careful not to do anything that will upset them: Our neighbours are very considerate and always keep their TV turned down. | a considerate driver | He’s always very polite and considerate to his guests.
   ▪ thoughtful thinking of things you can do to make other people happy or feel good – used especially when someone does something such as giving someone a present or helping someone: It was thoughtful of you to send him a card. | Some thoughtful person had taken her bag to the lost property office.
   ▪ caring kind and wanting to help and look after people: She’s lucky to have such a loving and caring husband. | The British are well-known for their caring attitude toward animals.
   ▪ sympathetic saying kind things to someone who has problems and behaving in a way that shows you care about them: My boss was very sympathetic and said I should take some time off work. | She gave him a sympathetic smile.
   ▪ good kind and showing that you want to help – used especially in the following phrases: It was good of you to come and see me. | She’s always been very good to us.
   ▪ sweet informal very kind – used especially when you like someone very much, or you are very pleased because of something they have done: I was given the flowers by a sweet little old lady who lived next door. | It’s sweet of you to ask. | a sweet thing to say
   ▪ kind-hearted/warm-hearted especially written having a kind and friendly character, which makes other people like you: He was a wonderful father, kind-hearted and always laughing. | The town is full of warm-hearted, helpful people.
   ▪ benevolent formal kind and wanting to help people – often used about someone who is important or who people respect: a benevolent ruler | They believe in the existence of a benevolent God who will save mankind. | He listened politely, like some benevolent uncle.

be·nevo·lent

BrE

/bəˈnevələnt/

🔊

NAmE

/bəˈnevələnt/

🔊

adjective

(

formal