Forms: (5 bienueullance), 5–6 beneuolens, beniuolence, benyuolence, -ens, 4– benevolence, (4–7 beneu-). [a. OF. benivolence, ad. L. benevolentia well-wishing, f. benevolent-em: see BENEVOLENT. This OF. form was a learned or semi-popular adaptation of the Lat. word; its genuine F. descendant being bienvoillance, later -veuillance (whence Caxton’s bienveullance), now corruptly bienveillance. In Eng. benivolence was further latinized as benevolence at an early period (if this was not directly from L.]
1. Disposition to do good, desire to promote the happiness of others, kindness, generosity, charitable feeling (as a general state or disposition towards mankind at large).
c. 1384. Chaucer, Mother of G., 10. Sauer of vs by thy beneuolence.
1423. James I., Kingis Q., xcix. Hye Quene of Lufe! sterre of beneuolence.
1481. Caxton, Myrr., III. xii. 159. Of the fader … he [Plato] sayde the power and puissaunce, of the sone, the sappyence, and of the holy gost the bienueullaunce.
1552. Lyndesay, Tragedy, 125. With supporte of sum Lordis beneuolens.
1605. Thynne, Animadv., App. (1865), 111. By the … support of your Majesties benevolence and liberality.
1726. Butler, Serm. Hum. Nat., i. Wks. 1874, II. 6. If there be any affection in human nature, the object and end of wch is the good of another, this is itself benevolence, or the love of another.
1781. Gibbon, Decl. & F., III. l. 142. Benevolence is the foundation of justice.
1876. Mozley, Univ. Serm., ix. 192. The poor and dependent … exercise our active benevolence.
† 2. Favorable feeling or disposition, as an emotion manifested towards another; affection; goodwill (towards a particular person or on a particular occasion). To do one’s benevolence: to lend one’s friendly offices. Obs.
1423. James I., Kingis Q., cviii. Though I geve the beneuolence, It standis noght ȝit in myn aduertence.
c. 1430. Lydg., Bochas, Tab. Contents (1554), Bij. Roboam … loste the benevolence of his people.
1526. Tindale, 1 Cor. vii. 3. Let the man geve vnto the wyfe due benevolence.
1598. Shaks., Merry W., I. i. 32. I … will be glad to do my beneuolence.
1645. Ussher, Body Div. (1647), 284. When due benevolence is not yielded, although there be aptness thereunto.
1817. Jas. Mill, Brit. India, II. IV. ii. 70. His dislike of application and control prevented his acquiring the benevolence of his superiors.
3. concr. An expression of goodwill, an act of kindness; a gift or grant of money; a contribution for the support of the poor.
c. 1425. Wyntoun, Cron., VII. vii. 157. Recoveryd þe benevolens Wyth trawayle.
1583. Stubbes, Anat. Abus., II. 101. To make collections for the poore, to gather beneuolences, and contributions of euerie one that was disposed to give.
1622. Ley, in Fortescue Papers, 175. What Benevolence we would willingly bestow towardes the Palatinate.
1650. Fuller, Pisgah, 400. Convenient for such as went up to sacrifice, to cast in their benevolence.
1766. Entick, London, IV. 58. Towards the charge whereof the companies gave great benevolences.
1868. Milman, St. Paul’s, xi. 282. The City of London gave first a great benevolence.
4. Eng. Hist. A forced loan or contribution levied, without legal authority, by the kings of England on their subjects. First so called in 1473 when astutely asked by Edward IV., as a token of goodwill towards his rule. Sometimes loosely applied to similar impositions elsewhere.
1483. Act 1 Rich. III., ii. § 1. A newe imposicion named a benevolence.
1494. Fabyan, vii. 664. He rode about the more parte of the lande, and vsed the people in suche fayre maner, that he reysed therby notable summes of money, the whiche way of the leuyinge of this money was after named a benyuolence.
c. 1534. Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist., II. 161. Perchance very many gave that benevolence with evil will.
1644. Ld. Digby, in Rushworth, Hist. Coll., III. (1692), I. 31. The granting of Subsidies, and that under so preposterous a name as of a Benevolence, for that which is a malevolence indeed.
1661. Pepys, Diary, 31 Aug. The Benevolence proves … an occasion of so much discontent every where, that it had better it had never been set up.
1775. Chatham, in Parlt. The spirit which now resists your taxation in America is the same which formerly opposed loans, benevolences, and ship-money in England.
1875. Stubbs, Const. Hist., III. xviii. 213.
1882. Farrar, Early Chr., I. 56. Resentment was kept alive by the benevolences and imposts which Nero now demanded.
