† benevolencyn.
Obsolete.
The quality of being benevolent; also concrete a gift of money, a ‘benevolence’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > [noun]
goodshipOE
goodnessOE
well-willingnessOE
goodlaikc1175
charity?c1225
courtesy1297
kindnessc1300
meeknessc1300
kindheada1325
benignityc1374
benevolencec1384
kindshipa1393
betternessa1400
homeliness1402
goodliness1405
courteousnessc1430
kindliness1440
kindlaikc1450
beneficialness1528
beneficence1531
benevolency1545
beneficency1576
kindheartedness1583
benefiting1594
candidness1643
benefacture1651
geniality1652
candour1653
hearta1656
obliging1676
benevolentness1736
affectionateness1751
warm-heartedness1808
Samaritanism1843
sweet-heartedness1865
benignancy1876
the mind > possession > giving > gift or present > [noun] > gift of money
largessea1325
gratuity1540
behoof1596
benevolency1698
pouch1880
handout1882
handshake1958
1545 T. Raynald in tr. E. Roesslin Byrth of Mankynde Prol. sig. B.viiiv The beneuolencie and wyllyng fauour of all.
1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. O1 To make collections for the poore, to gather the beneuolencies, and contributions of euerie one that were disposed to giue.
1698 J. Norris Pract. Disc. Divine Subj. IV. 340 They retrench their Expences, and withdraw their wonted Benevolencies.
1767 Ann. Reg. 1766 38/1 The body of the Clergy, till very late taxed themselves and granted to the King benevolencies.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
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