beneficentadj.
/bɪˈnɛfɪsənt/ Doing good, performing kind deeds, characterized by beneficence. (Beneficial was previously used in this sense.)
a. of persons.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > [adjective]
mildeOE
blitheOE
goodOE
well-willingOE
beina1200
goodfulc1275
blithefula1300
faira1300
benignc1320
gainc1330
sweetc1330
kinda1333
propicec1350
well-willeda1382
well-disposeda1393
well-hearteda1393
well-willinga1393
friendsomea1400
well-willya1400
charitablec1405
well-willed1417
good-heartedc1425
kindlyc1425
honeyed1435
propitious1440
affectuousc1441
willya1449
homelyc1450
benevolous1470
benigned1470
benevolent1482
favourousc1485
well-meaned1488
well-meaning1498
humanec1500
favourablec1503
affectionatea1516
well-mindedc1522
beneficial1526
propiciant1531
benignate1533
well-intendeda1535
beneficious1535
kind-hearted1535
well-given1535
affectioned1539
well-wishing1548
figgy?1549
good-meaning1549
affectedc1553
affectionated1561
well-natured1561
well-affected?1563
officious1565
well-inclined1569
good-natured1582
partial1587
graceful?1593
well-intentioned1598
beneficent1616
candid1633
kindlike1637
benefic1641
kindly-hearted1762
well-meant1765
benignanta1782
sweet-hearted1850
1616 J. Bullokar Eng. Expositor Beneficent, liberall, louing.
a1677 I. Barrow Wks. (1683) II. 173 A most wise, most powerfull, most beneficent authour, that is..God.
1725 E. Fenton in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey I. iv. 917 Gentle of speech, beneficent of mind.
1879 Lefevre Philos. i. 20 Confucius is still revered as a beneficent genius.
b. of things.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > [adjective]
fremefulc1000
i-duȝea1250
hendyc1275
begetela1325
profitablea1325
speedful1340
worth1340
speedyc1380
behoveful1382
fructuousc1386
fruitfulc1386
vailable1390
availantc1420
availingc1420
commodious1420
commodous?1440
available1474
behovablea1475
advantageousc1485
profitly1485
beneficiala1513
advantageable1548
sanative1548
gainful1555
vantageable1570
vantageous?1572
gainy1573
comfortable1576
conducent1578
advantageous1591
bootful1594
availful1598
conducible?1611
commoditous1621
conducing1624
conduceful1635
proficuousa1642
proficaciousa1660
beneficenta1676
conducive1710
benefactory1744
benignant1791
sanatorya1832
beneficiary1836
a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) 5 Objects, the knowledge whereof is..very beneficent to Mankind.
1772 T. Pennant Tours Scotl. (1774) 38 That beneficent luminary the Sun.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. 530 That disease, over which science has since achieved a succession of glorious and beneficent victories.
1871 R. W. Dale Ten Commandm. iv. 103 The Sabbath was a singularly beneficent institution.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.1616