benevolence Hear it!

benevolence definition

be·nevo·lence (bə nev′ə ləns)

noun

  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

Etymology: ME & OFr < L benevolentia: see benevolent

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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