benign ( g silent), benigne, benygne, beningne

[In Sw. benägen; Fr. bénin (adj.) (m.), bénigne (f.); Prov. benigne, Sp., Port., & Ital. benigno; all from Lat. benign us =(1) kind-hearted, (2) beneficent (applied to action), (3) abundant, fertile from ben, the root of bonus = good, and gen, the root of gig no to beget.] A. Ordinary Language: I. Of persons: IMG:content-1233.png:[blocks in formation] 1. Pharm. Of medicines, .: Wholesome, not deleterious. "These salts are of a benign mild nature in healthy persons; but, in others, retain their original qualities, which they discover in cachexies."-Arbuthnot. 2. Med. Of diseases: Mild in character; running their course favourably and without any irregularities. (Quincy.) 3. Astrol .: Favourable; opposed to malign.