benign (bɪˈnaɪn
)
Definitions
adjective
- showing kindliness; genial
- (of soil, climate, etc) mild; gentle
- favourable; propitious
- pathology (of a tumour, etc) not threatening to life or health; not malignant
Alternative Forms
beˈnignly adverbWord Origin
C14: from Old French benigne , from Latin benignus , from bene well + gignere to produceSynonyms
View thesaurus entry=
benevolent,
kind,
kindly,
warm,
liberal,
friendly,
generous,
obliging,
sympathetic,
favourable,
compassionate,
gracious,
amiable,
genial,
affable,
complaisant,
Usage examples
The woman behind the counter was large, florid and did not appear to be particularly benign.
, HIDING FROM THE LIGHT (2002)The only permanent hound now is Shadow, a benign black labrador who belongs to Freddie, a young former Grenadier Guards officer.
Country Life (2005)Some say the Bush administration is paying the price for its benign neglect of the Middle East during its first year in office.
Irish Times (2002)The Scottish Bonsai Association, with nine area groups throughout the country, is a benign guardian of the protocols.
Glasgow Herald (2001)Caffeine and smoking in particular may increase breast tenderness and swelling and affect mood (see page 100, on benign breast disease).
, Alternative Health Care for Women (1991)