benevolence

benevolence
The doing of a kind or helpful action towards another, under no obligation except an ethical one. The love of humanity; the desire to promote its prosperity or happiness. The term includes acts of wellwishing towards others, for the promotion of general happiness, and plans actuated by love of others and a desire for their well-being. In re Peabody's Estate, 124 Misc. 338, 208 N.Y.S. 664, 671.
Also beneficent; doing well.
It is a broader term than "charity" which it includes, and with which it is frequently used synonymously. "Charity" in its legal sense implies giving without consideration or expectation of return, and "benevolence" applies to any act which is prompted by or has for its object the well-being of others. State v. Texas Mut. Life Ins. Co. of Texas, Tex.Civ.App., 51 S.W.2d 405, 410.
See also benevolent

Black's law dictionary. . 1990.

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  • bénévolence — ⇒BÉNÉVOLENCE, subst. fém. Vx ou littér., rare. [En parlant d une pers., de son comportement avec autrui] Disposition à être aimable et bienveillant. Taper sur l épaule avec bénévolence (QUENEAU, Zazie dans le métro, 1959, p. 119). Synon.… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Benevolence — Be*nev o*lence, n. [OF. benevolence, L. benevolentia. See {Benevolent}.] 1. The disposition to do good; good will; charitableness; love of mankind, accompanied with a desire to promote their happiness. [1913 Webster] The wakeful benevolence of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Benevolence — is the expression of kindness and altruism. In his book Unrugged Individualism , Objectivist author David Kelley defines it as a commitment to achieving the values derivable from life with other people in society, by treating them as potential… …   Wikipedia

  • benevolence — Benevolence, Acquerir petit à petit la benevolence d aucun, Colligere beneuolentiam alicuius. Tascher à acquester la benevolence d aucun, Consectari alicuius beneuolentiam largitione …   Thresor de la langue françoyse

  • Benevolence — (engl., spr. Binewwolens), freiwillige Steuer, vom König Eduard IV. von England eingeführt, von Heinrich VII. beibehalten …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • benevolence — I (act of kindness) noun assistance, benefaction, beneficence, benevolentia, boon, charitable effort, charity, favor, good deed, good treatment, good turn, helpfulness, kind office, kind treatment, philanthropy, relief, service, succor, support… …   Law dictionary

  • benevolence — (n.) c.1400, disposition to do good, from O.Fr. benivolence and directly from L. benevolentia good feeling, good will, kindness, from bene well (see BENE (Cf. bene )) + volantem (nom. volens) prp. of velle to wish (see WILL (Cf …   Etymology dictionary

  • benevolence — [n] charity altruism, amity, comity, compassion, feeling, friendliness, friendship, generosity, gift, goodness, good will, humanity, kindheartedness, kindness, sympathy; concept 633 Ant. animosity, greediness, ill will, malevolence, meanness,… …   New thesaurus

  • benevolence — [bə nev′ə ləns] n. [ME & OFr < L benevolentia: see BENEVOLENT] 1. an inclination to do good; kindliness 2. a kindly, charitable act or gift; beneficence 3. a forced loan formerly levied by some English kings on their subjects …   English World dictionary

  • Benevolence — (Roget s Thesaurus) < N PARAG:Benevolence >N GRP: N 1 Sgm: N 1 benevolence benevolence Christian charity Sgm: N 1 God s love God s love God s grace Sgm: N 1 good will good will Sgm: N 1 philanthropy philanthropy &c. 910 Sgm: N …   English dictionary for students

  • benevolence — /beuh nev euh leuhns/, n. 1. desire to do good to others; goodwill; charitableness: to be filled with benevolence toward one s fellow creatures. 2. an act of kindness; a charitable gift. 3. Eng. Hist. a forced contribution to the sovereign. [1350 …   Universalium

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