Etymology Map
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Benign

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means gentle and kind; not harmful

Where does the word "benign" come from? It comes from Latin benignus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
benignus
Latin · ancient
"kindly"
'bene', well, plus 'genus', born
2
Stage 2 of 3
benigne
Old French · medieval
"kind"
Old French 'benigne' meant kind, merciful and gracious; English borrowed it in the early 1300s
3
Stage 3 of 3
benign
English · 1300s
"kind"
medical 'benign' tumours date from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Benign’s story begins in Latin: benignus meant “kindly.” 'bene', well, plus 'genus', born. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as benigne. Old French 'benigne' meant kind, merciful and gracious; English borrowed it in the early 1300s. It reached English by 1300s as benign. Medical 'benign' tumours date from the 1800s. Today, benign means gentle and kind; not harmful.