What does benevolence mean?

Definitions for benevolence
bəˈnɛv ə lənsbenev·o·lence

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word benevolence.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. benevolencenoun

    disposition to do good

  2. benevolencenoun

    an inclination to do kind or charitable acts

  3. benevolence, benefactionnoun

    an act intending or showing kindness and good will

Wiktionary

  1. benevolencenoun

    disposition to do good

  2. benevolencenoun

    charitable kindness

  3. benevolencenoun

    an altruistic gift or act

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Benevolencenoun

    Etymology: benevolentia, Lat.

    Grasp the whole worlds of reason, life, and sense,
    In one close system of benevolence. Alexander Pope, Essay on Man.

    This tax, called a benevolence, was devised by Edward IV. for which he sustained much envy. It was abolished by Richard III. Francis Bacon, Henry VII.

ChatGPT

  1. benevolence

    Benevolence is the quality of being kind, generous, and goodwill towards others, often characterized by actions of charity, selflessness and desire to promote happiness and welfare of others. It is a virtue that encourages acts of kindness and altruistic behavior.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Benevolencenoun

    the disposition to do good; good will; charitableness; love of mankind, accompanied with a desire to promote their happiness

  2. Benevolencenoun

    an act of kindness; good done; charity given

  3. Benevolencenoun

    a species of compulsory contribution or tax, which has sometimes been illegally exacted by arbitrary kings of England, and falsely represented as a gratuity

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Benevolence

    ben-ev′ol-ens, n. disposition to do good: an act of kindness: generosity: a gift of money, esp. for support of the poor: (Eng. hist.) a kind of forced loan or contribution, levied by kings without legal authority, first so called under Edward IV. in 1473.—adj. Benev′olent, charitable, generous, well disposed to.—adv. Benev′olently. [Through Fr. from L. benevolentia.]

The Nuttall Encyclopedia

  1. Benevolence

    the name of a forced tax exacted from the people by certain kings of England, and which, under Charles I., became so obnoxious as to occasion the demand of the Petition of Rights (q. v.), that no tax should be levied without consent of Parliament; first enforced in 1473, declared illegal in 1689.

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of benevolence in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of benevolence in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of benevolence in a Sentence

  1. John Randolph:

    The principle of liberty and equality, if coupled with mere selfishness, will make men only devils, each trying to be independent that he may fight only for his own interest. And here is the need of religion and its power, to bring in the principle of benevolence and love to men.

  2. Sculptor Idriz Balani:

    I used three photos to get her smile, hair, posture and attire right and kept the necklace. She exudes benevolence. I hope they like it.

  3. James Boswell:

    To act from pure benevolence is not possible for finite beings. Human benevolence is mingled with vanity, interest, or some other motive.

  4. Rodong Sinmun:

    The recent inter-Korean high-level talks are a precious fruition of the new policy set forth by the respected Supreme Leader in his New Year Address to improve the north-south relations, he is a peerless patriot and the supreme incarnation of love and benevolence as he is creditably carrying forward the patriotic history with the same warm love for the nation and benevolence as those of the great leaders.

  5. Proverb:

    If charity cost nothing and benevolence caused no heartache, the world would be full of philanthropists.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

benevolence#10000#44359#100000

Translations for benevolence

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"benevolence." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/benevolence>.

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    the transportation of people (as a family or colony) to a new settlement (as after an upheaval of some kind)
    A temptation
    B relocation
    C bash
    D disguise

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