benign

English

Etymology

From Old French benigne, from Latin benignus (“kind, good”), from bene (“well”) + genus (“origin, kind”). Compare malign.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /bɪˈnaɪn/

Adjective

benign (comparative benigner or more benign, superlative benignest or most benign)

  1. Kind; gentle; mild.
    • 1826, Mary Shelley, The Last Man, part 1, chapter 9
      But though we both entertained these ideas, we differed in their application. Resentment added also a sting to my censure; and I reprobated Raymond's conduct in severe terms. Adrian was more benign, more considerate.
  2. (of a climate or environment) mild and favorable
  3. (in combination) Not harmful to the environment.
    an ozone-benign refrigerant
  4. (medicine) Not posing any serious threat to health; not particularly aggressive or recurrent.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Derived terms
Terms derived from benign

Translations
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