'Benign' definitions:
Definition of 'benign'
(from WordNet)
adjective
Not dangerous to health; not recurrent or progressive (especially of a tumor) [ant: malignant]
adjective
Pleasant and beneficial in nature or influence; "a benign smile"; "the benign sky"; "the benign influence of pure air" [syn: benign, benignant] [ant: malign]
adjective
Kindness of disposition or manner; "the benign ruler of millions"; "benign intentions"
Definition of 'Benign'
From: GCIDE
- Benign \Be*nign"\, a. [OE. benigne, bening, OF. benigne, F. b['e]nin, fem. b['e]nigne, fr. L. benignus, contr. from benigenus; bonus good + root of genus kind. See Bounty, and Genus.]
- 1. Of a kind or gentle disposition; gracious; generous; favorable; benignant. [1913 Webster]
- Creator bounteous and benign. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
- 2. Exhibiting or manifesting kindness, gentleness, favor, etc.; mild; kindly; salutary; wholesome. [1913 Webster]
- Kind influences and benign aspects. --South. [1913 Webster]
- 3. Of a mild type or character; as, a benign disease. [1913 Webster]
- Syn: Kind; propitious; bland; genial; salubrious; favorable salutary; gracious; liberal. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'benign'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- accommodating,
- affable,
- affectionate,
- agreeable,
- amiable,
- amicable,
- auspicious,
- beneficent,
- beneficial,
- benevolent,
- benignant,
- bland,
- bracing,
- bright,
- brotherly,
- charitable,
- Christian,
- Christlike,
- Christly,
- clement,
- compassionate,
- complaisant,
- compliant,
- congenial,
- constitutional,
- cooperative,
- cordial,
- curable,
- decent,
- dexter,
- fair,
- favorable,
- favoring,
- forbearing,
- fortunate,
- fraternal,
- friendly,
- full of promise,
- generous,
- genial,
- gentle,
- golden,
- good,
- good for,
- good-hearted,
- gracious,
- happy,
- harmless,
- health-enhancing,
- health-preserving,
- healthful,
- healthy,
- human,
- humane,
- hygeian,
- hygienic,
- indulgent,
- innocent,
- innocuous,
- inoffensive,
- invigorating,
- kind,
- kindhearted,
- kindly,
- kindly-disposed,
- loving,
- lucky,
- merciful,
- mild,
- neighborly,
- nice,
- nonmalignant,
- nonpoisonous,
- nontoxic,
- nonvirulent,
- obliging,
- of good omen,
- of happy portent,
- of promise,
- overindulgent,
- overpermissive,
- permissive,
- promising,
- propitious,
- prosperous,
- refreshing,
- salubrious,
- salutary,
- sanitary,
- softhearted,
- sympathetic,
- sympathizing,
- tender,
- tenderhearted,
- tonic,
- undamaging,
- unhurtful,
- uninjurious,
- unobnoxious,
- warm,
- warm-hearted,
- warmhearted,
- well-affected,
- well-disposed,
- well-intentioned,
- well-meaning,
- well-meant,
- white,
- wholesome