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Today it means

benevolent

well-meaning and kindly

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Where does the word "benevolent" come from? It comes from Latin benevolens, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).

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Where does the word "benevolent" come from? It comes from Latin benevolens, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).

Benevolent’s story begins in Latin: benevolens meant “well-wishing.” 'bene', well, plus 'velle', to wish. It reached English by 1400s as benevolent. 'malevolent' is its opposite. Today, benevolent means well-meaning and kindly.

  1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient benevolens "well-wishing", 'bene', well, plus 'velle', to wish.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1400s benevolent "well-wishing", 'malevolent' is its opposite.

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