beneficent, a.
(bɪˈnɛfɪsənt)
Also 7 benificent.
[f. L. *beneficent-, whence beneficenti-or, compar. of beneficus, and beneficentia: see prec. Cf. magnificent.]
Doing good, performing kind deeds, characterized by beneficence. (Beneficial was previously used in this sense.) a. of persons.
| 1616 Bullokar, Beneficent, liberall, louing. a 1677 Barrow Wks. (1683) 173 A most wise, most powerfull, most beneficent authour. 1725 Pope Odyss. iv. 917 Gentle of speech, beneficent of mind. 1879 Lefevre Philos. i. 20 Confucius is still revered as a beneficent genius. |
b. of things.
| 1677 Hale Prim. Orig. Man. 5 Objects, the knowledge whereof is..very beneficent to Mankind. 1772 Pennant Tours Scotl. (1774) 38 That beneficent luminary the Sun. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. 530 That disease, over which science has since achieved a succession of glorious and beneficent victories. 1871 R. W. Dale Commandm. iv. 103 The Sabbath was a singularly beneficent institution. |