Benevolence

ben-ev′ol-ens, n. disposition to do good: an act of kindne : generosity: a gift of money, esp. for support of the poor: ( Eng. hist. ) a kind of forced loan or contribution, levied by kings without legal authority, first so called under Edward IV. in 1473.— adj. Benev′olent , charitable, generous, well disposed to.— adv. Benev′olently . [Through Fr. from L. benevolent i a .]