benevolent
UK/bɪ'nev(ə)l(ə)nt/US/bi'nevәlәnt/
TOEFLGREB2
Definitions
adj.
Kind, well-meaning, and generous toward others
仁慈的，善意的，慷慨的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedbene-good, well
+
-entperforming, being in a state
=benevolent
bene- (well) + vol- (wish, from velle) + -ent = 'wishing well' toward others. This is the velle 'will/wish' branch of the root, not the rolling one. Its exact mirror is malevolent (mal- 'badly' + wish = wishing harm) — the pair good-will vs bad-will.
Root vol still carries 50 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.benevolent smile慈祥的微笑
- 2.benevolent dictator仁慈的独裁者
- 3.benevolent fund慈善基金
- 4.benevolent organization慈善组织
Example Sentences
- 1.
The benevolent old man donated most of his fortune to schools.
- 2.
She gave him a benevolent smile and waved him in.
- 3.
The fund was set up by a benevolent foundation.
Easily Confused
benevolent vs benevolent's mirror malevolent — same -volent (wishing); bene- = wishing well (kind), mal- = wishing ill (evil). Also keep apart from benign (harmless/mild), which describes a thing's effect, not someone's wishes.