| 释义 |
beneficent, a.|bɪˈnɛfɪsənt|
Also 7 benificent.
[f. L. *beneficent-, whence beneficenti-or, compar. of beneficus, and beneficentia: see prec. Cf. magnificent.]
Doing good, performing kind deeds, characterized by beneficence. (Beneficial was previously used in this sense.) a. of persons.
1616Bullokar, Beneficent, liberall, louing. a1677Barrow Wks. (1683) 173 A most wise, most powerfull, most beneficent authour. 1725Pope Odyss. iv. 917 Gentle of speech, beneficent of mind. 1879Lefevre Philos. i. 20 Confucius is still revered as a beneficent genius.
b. of things.
1677Hale Prim. Orig. Man. 5 Objects, the knowledge whereof is..very beneficent to Mankind. 1772Pennant Tours Scotl. (1774) 38 That beneficent luminary the Sun. 1855Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. 530 That disease, over which science has since achieved a succession of glorious and beneficent victories. 1871R. W. Dale Commandm. iv. 103 The Sabbath was a singularly beneficent institution. |