beneficent

be·nef·i·cent

(bə-nĕf′ĭ-sənt)

adj.

1. Characterized by or performing acts of kindness or charity.

2. Producing benefit; beneficial.

[Probably from beneficence, on the model of such pairs as benevolent, benevolence.]

be·nef′i·cent·ly adv.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

beneficent

(bɪˈnɛfɪsənt)

adj

charitable; generous

[C17: from Latin beneficent-, from beneficus; see benefice]

beˈneficently adv

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

be•nef•i•cent

(bəˈnɛf ə sənt)

adj.

1. doing good or causing good to be done; charitable.

2. beneficial.

[1610–20]

be•nef′i•cent•ly, adv.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

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Adj.	1.	beneficent - doing or producing good; "the most beneficent regime in history" kind - having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior; "kind to sick patients"; "a kind master"; "kind words showing understanding and sympathy"; "thanked her for her kind letter" maleficent - harmful or evil in intent or effect
	2.	beneficent - generous in assistance to the poor; "a benevolent contributor"; "eleemosynary relief"; "philanthropic contributions" eleemosynary, philanthropic, benevolent charitable - full of love and generosity; "charitable to the poor"; "a charitable trust"

beneficent

adjective charitable, benign, benevolent, philanthropic, bountiful, bounteous, munificent In 1909 nuns were running more than 1,000 beneficent institutions.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

beneficent

adjective

1. Characterized by kindness and concern for others:

altruistic, benevolent, benign, benignant, good, goodhearted, kind, kindhearted, kindly.

2. Affording benefit:

advantageous, benefic, beneficial, benignant, favorable, good, helpful, profitable, propitious, salutary, toward, useful.

Translations

generoso

благотворный

beneficent

[bɪˈnefɪsənt] ADJ (frm) → benéfico

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

beneficent

[bɪˈnɛfɪs^ənt] adj (formal)

(= benevolent) [power, deity] → bienveillant(e)

(= beneficial) [effect] → salutaire

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

beneficent

adj (liter) → wohltätig

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

beneficent

[bɪˈnɛfɪs/ənt] adj (frm) → benefico/a

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

References in classic literature ?

Distance does the same beneficent work far more speedily, and (when assisted by Change) far more effectually as well.

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Thou abyss of light!--into all abysses do I then carry my beneficent Yea-saying.

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Yes; it needed a few days after the taking of your departure for a ship's company to shake down into their places, and for the soothing deep-water ship routine to establish its beneficent sway.

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But not to speak of her alone, that early and terrible death has had the most beneficent influence on me and on my brother in spite of all our grief.

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Under a beneficent law of the State relating to property which has been for a certain period abandoned by an owner whose residence cannot be ascertained, the sheriff was legal custodian of the Manton farm and appurtenances thereunto belonging.

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It was not simply that beneficent harness of routine which enables silly men to live respectably and unhappy men to live calmly--it was a perpetual claim on the immediate fresh application of thought, and on the consideration of another's need and trial.

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In no other way can I account for its having leaped so far out of the water--a beneficent circumstance to which I doubtless owe my life, and that of another far dearer to me than my own.

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The other Queen for whom they retain a great veneration is Candace, whom they call Judith, and indeed if what they relate of her could be proved, there never was, amongst the most illustrious and beneficent sovereigns, any to whom their country was more indebted, for it is said that she being converted by Inda her eunuch, whom St.

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To judge from the history of mankind, we shall be compelled to conclude that the fiery and destructive passions of war reign in the human breast with much more powerful sway than the mild and beneficent sentiments of peace; and that to model our political systems upon speculations of lasting tranquillity, is to calculate on the weaker springs of the human character.

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But let me explain my meaning, without further eulogies on this beneficent Element.

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Faria, the beneficent and cheerful companion, with whom he was accustomed to live so intimately, no longer breathed.

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"An't'ing yehs wants, damn it," repeated he, waving his hands with beneficent recklessness.