Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Benign

Be-nign′

,
Adj.
[OE.
benigne
,
bening
, OF.
benigne
, F.
bénin
, fem.
bénigne
, fr. L.
benignus
, contr. from
benigenus
;
bonus
good + root of
genus
kind. See
Bounty
, and
Genus
.]
1.
Of a kind or gentle disposition; gracious; generous; favorable; benignant.
Creator bounteous and
benign
.
Milton.
2.
Exhibiting or manifesting kindness, gentleness, favor, etc.; mild; kindly; salutary; wholesome.
Kind influences and
benign
aspects.
South.
3.
Of a mild type or character;
as, a
benign
disease
.
Syn. – Kind; propitious; bland; genial; salubrious; favorable salutary; gracious; liberal.

Webster 1828 Edition


Benign

BENI'GN

,
Adj.
beni'ne. [L.benignus, from the same root, as bonus, bene, ancient L. benus, Eng. boon.]
1.
Kind; of a kind disposition; gracious; favorable.
Our Creator, bounteous and benign.
2.
Generous; liberal; as a benign benefactor.
3.
Favorable; having a salutary influence; as the benign aspect of the seasons.
The benign light of revelation.
4.
Wholesome; not pernicious; as a benign medicine.
5.
Favorable; not malignant; as a benign disease.

Definition 2024


benign

benign

English

Adjective

benign (comparative benigner or more benign, superlative benignest or most benign)

  1. Kind; gentle; mild.
    • 1826, Mary Shelley, The Last Man, part 1, chapter 9
      But though e both entertained these ideas, we differed in their application. I reprobated Raymond's conduct in severe terms. Adrian was more benign, more considerate.
  2. (of a climate or environment) mild and favorable
  3. not harmful to the environment: [in combination] an ozone-benign refrigerant.
  4. (medicine) Not posing any serious threat to health; not particularly aggressive or recurrent.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Derived terms

Translations