\Be*nev"o*lent\, a. [L. benevolens, -entis; bene well
(adv. of bonus good) + volens, p. pr. of volo I will, I wish.
See {Bounty}, and {Voluntary}.]
Having a disposition to do good; possessing or manifesting
love to mankind, and a desire to promote their prosperity and
happiness; disposed to give to good objects; kind;
charitable. -- {Be*nev"o*lent*ly}, adv.
Syn: {Benevolent}, {Beneficent}.
Usage: Etymologically considered, benevolent implies wishing
       well to others, and beneficent, doing well. But by
       degrees the word benevolent has been widened to
       include not only feelings, but actions; thus, we speak
       of benevolent operations, benevolent labors for the
       public good, benevolent societies. In like manner,
       beneficent is now often applied to feelings; thus, we
       speak of the beneficent intentions of a donor. This
       extension of the terms enables us to mark nicer shades
       of meaning. Thus, the phrase ``benevolent labors''
       turns attention to the source of these labors, viz.,
       benevolent feeling; while beneficent would simply mark
       them as productive of good. So, ``beneficent
       intentions'' point to the feelings of the donor as
       bent upon some specific good act; while ``benevolent
       intentions'' would only denote a general wish and
       design to do good.