benevolence

benevolence
benevolence (n.) c.1400, "disposition to do good," from O.Fr. benivolence and directly from L. benevolentia "good feeling, good will, kindness," from bene "well" (see BENE- (Cf. bene-)) + volantem (nom. volens) prp. of velle "to wish" (see WILL (Cf. will) (v.)). In English history, this was the name given to forced extra-legal loans or contributions to the crown, first so called 1473 by Edward IV, who cynically "asked" it as a token of good will toward his rule.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • bénévolence — ⇒BÉNÉVOLENCE, subst. fém. Vx ou littér., rare. [En parlant d une pers., de son comportement avec autrui] Disposition à être aimable et bienveillant. Taper sur l épaule avec bénévolence (QUENEAU, Zazie dans le métro, 1959, p. 119). Synon.… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Benevolence — Be*nev o*lence, n. [OF. benevolence, L. benevolentia. See {Benevolent}.] 1. The disposition to do good; good will; charitableness; love of mankind, accompanied with a desire to promote their happiness. [1913 Webster] The wakeful benevolence of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Benevolence — is the expression of kindness and altruism. In his book Unrugged Individualism , Objectivist author David Kelley defines it as a commitment to achieving the values derivable from life with other people in society, by treating them as potential… …   Wikipedia

  • benevolence — Benevolence, Acquerir petit à petit la benevolence d aucun, Colligere beneuolentiam alicuius. Tascher à acquester la benevolence d aucun, Consectari alicuius beneuolentiam largitione …   Thresor de la langue françoyse

  • Benevolence — (engl., spr. Binewwolens), freiwillige Steuer, vom König Eduard IV. von England eingeführt, von Heinrich VII. beibehalten …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • benevolence — I (act of kindness) noun assistance, benefaction, beneficence, benevolentia, boon, charitable effort, charity, favor, good deed, good treatment, good turn, helpfulness, kind office, kind treatment, philanthropy, relief, service, succor, support… …   Law dictionary

  • benevolence — [n] charity altruism, amity, comity, compassion, feeling, friendliness, friendship, generosity, gift, goodness, good will, humanity, kindheartedness, kindness, sympathy; concept 633 Ant. animosity, greediness, ill will, malevolence, meanness,… …   New thesaurus

  • benevolence — [bə nev′ə ləns] n. [ME & OFr < L benevolentia: see BENEVOLENT] 1. an inclination to do good; kindliness 2. a kindly, charitable act or gift; beneficence 3. a forced loan formerly levied by some English kings on their subjects …   English World dictionary

  • Benevolence — (Roget s Thesaurus) < N PARAG:Benevolence >N GRP: N 1 Sgm: N 1 benevolence benevolence Christian charity Sgm: N 1 God s love God s love God s grace Sgm: N 1 good will good will Sgm: N 1 philanthropy philanthropy &c. 910 Sgm: N …   English dictionary for students

  • benevolence — /beuh nev euh leuhns/, n. 1. desire to do good to others; goodwill; charitableness: to be filled with benevolence toward one s fellow creatures. 2. an act of kindness; a charitable gift. 3. Eng. Hist. a forced contribution to the sovereign. [1350 …   Universalium

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