/ bəˈnevələnt; NAmE / adjective
1.
( formal ) ( especially of people in authority ) kind, helpful and generous :
a benevolent smile / attitude
belief in the existence of a benevolent god
OPP malevolent
2.
used in the names of some organizations that give help and money to people in need :
the RAF Benevolent Fund
► be·nevo·lence / bəˈnevələns; NAmE / noun [ U ]
► be·nevo·lent·ly adverb
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French benivolent , from Latin bene volent- well wishing, from bene well + velle to wish.