benignlyadv.
/bɪˈnʌɪnli/ 1. In a benign manner; kindly, graciously.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > [adverb]
welleOE
blithec1000
blithelyc1000
goodfullya1300
blethelyc1300
milthlyc1300
kindlya1375
benignlyc1380
en-gree14..
homelya1425
benevolently1532
benign1535
obsequiously?1536
kindly1581
kind1592
propitiously1600
kindlily1625
well-meaningly1645
obligingly1646
candidly1650
beneficentlya1717
kindly-like1716
good-naturedly1725
benignantly1791
kindheartedly1803
c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 44 Þe mynystris owe to resceyue hem benygnely and bi charite.
1528 T. More Dialogue Heresyes iii, in Wks. 213/1 The gretest prelate in this realme..dismissed him very benygnely.
1862 E. Bulwer-Lytton Strange Story I. xviii. 129 Mrs. Ashleigh looked at me benignly.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > humility > [adverb]
edmodlichec1175
meeklyc1175
low1340
lowlyc1350
humblyc1374
humilyc1380
meeka1382
poorlyc1385
benignlyc1386
lowlily1415
sheep-like1582
demissly1598
squire-like1608
demissively1622
forma pauperisa1627
under favour1699
daftly1724
abasedly1830
c1386 G. Chaucer Parson's Tale ⁋35 Penitence destreyneth a man to accepte benygnely euery peyne that hym is enioyned.
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. xv. 57 Yf men wolde hit [mercy] aske Buxumliche and benygneliche.
?1520 A. Barclay tr. Sallust Cron. Warre agaynst Iugurth i. f. 9v He answered benygnely for the tyme.
3. Of things: Genially, favourably, auspiciously.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > promise, ground of hope > [adverb] > in an auspicious manner
fair?a1160
ominously1598
auspiciously1619
benignly1645
unominously1824
1645 E. Waller Wks. 31 Yet they [sc. eyes] so benignly shine.
1752 E. Young Brothers (1757) II. i. i. 202 Benignly bright, as stars to mariners.
1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems xlvi. 2 Zephyrus, health benignly breathing.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online March 2020).
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adv.c1380