bə̇ˈnīn, bē- adjective
Etymology: Middle English benigne, from Middle French, from Latin benignus, from bene well + -ignus (from genere, gignere to produce, beget) — more at kin
1. : of a kind and gentle disposition : gracious
a benign teacher
2.
a. : acting or appearing kind, gracious, or gentle
an ominous frown gathered upon Mr. Littlepage's benign forehead — Ellen Glasgow
b. : arising from or prompted by generous or gracious kindliness
benign contributions
benign actions
3.
a. : tending to promote or indicative of happiness, goodness, or favorable outcome : salutary , wholesome
a benign balance between firmness and laxity
a benign rather than a malevolent phenomenon — Margaret Halsey
b. : favorable , propitious
born under a benign planet
c. : of a mild type or character : not threatening health or life
benign malaria
a benign tumor
: having a good prognosis
a benign psychosis
— opposed to malignant
4. : forgivingly or understandingly tolerant
viewed the antagonism shown his eccentricities with benign complacency — Alvin Redman
Synonyms: see favorable , kind