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   Be·nign

   /bəˈnīn/

   

   adjective

   • 1. gentle and kindly: "his benign but firm manner" Similar kindlykindwarmheartedgood-naturedfriendlywarmaffectionateagreeableamiablegood-humoredgenialcongenialcordialapproachabletendertenderheartedsoftheartedgentlesympatheticcompassionatecaringconsideratethoughtfulhelpfulwell disposedobligingaccommodatinggenerousbig-heartedunselfishbenevolentgraciousliberalindulgentrare:benignantOpposite unfriendlyhostile
   • ▪ (of a climate or environment) mild and favorable: "the climate becomes more benign as we move nearer to the Black Sea" Similar temperatemildgentleclementcalmbalmypleasantagreeablesoftsoothingrefreshinghealthyhealth-givingwholesomesalubriousfavorableadvantageousbeneficialhelpfulpropitiousauspiciousluckyopportunefortunateprovidentialencouragingbenevolentconduciverightgoodOpposite harshunhealthyunfavorable
   • ▪ not harmful to the environment: "an ozone-benign refrigerant"
   • 2. (of a disease) not harmful in effect: "a benign condition"
   • ▪ (of a tumor) not malignant: "benign growths" Similar harmlessnonmalignantnoncancerousnondangerousinnocentcurableremediabletreatableremovabletechnical:benignantOpposite malignant

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French benigne, from Latin benignus, probably from bene ‘well’ + -genus ‘-born’. Compare with gentle1.

   Derivatives

   • 1. benignly adverb

   Scrabble Points: 9

   • B

     3

   • E

     1

   • N

     1

   • I

     1

   • G

     2

   • N

     1

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