Having, or actuated by, good intentions; animated by a kindly purpose or friendly disposition.
Often with a somewhat derogatory implication of inefficiency or unwisdom.
1387–8. T. Usk, Test. Love, II. v. 117. Right as see yeveth flood, so draweth see ebbe, and pulleth ayen under wawe al the firste out-throwe, but if good pyles of noble governaunce in love, in wel-meninge maner, ben sadly grounded.
1555. Eden, Decades (Arb.), 124. And albeit that he were not lerned, yet was he a vertuous and well meanynge man.
a. 1557. Grimald, in Tottel’s Misc. (Arb.), 106. That nothyng hynder your welmeanyng minde.
1579. W. Wilkinson, Confut. Fam. Love, B ij. Take this briefe freindly and well meaning aunswere to your exceptions in good part.
1593. Shaks., Rich. II., II. 1. 128. My brother Gloucester, plaine well meaning soule.
1649. Milton, Eikon., xvii. 158. What a Cordial and well meaning helper they had of him abroad.
1673. True Worship of God, p. iv. Some out of a well meaning mistake, thinking that which they call Preaching, the only means of Salvation.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., Ded. ¶ 1. ’Tis the fault of many a well-meaning Man, to be officious in a wrong place.
1712. Addison, Spect., No. 299, ¶ 3. She … treats me like a plain well-meaning Man, who does not know the World.
1828. Lytton, Pelham, lxxxi. The annuity we have agreed upon, is only to be given in case of success—not merely for well meaning attempts.
1857. Mrs. Mathews, Tea-Table Talk, I. 342. The well-intentioned but injudicious actions of what are called well-meaning people.
1919. Alice Gardner, in Eng. Hist. Rev., July, 440. The paternal attitude of the Tudor monarchy was at least well-meaning towards the education of the poor.
Hence Well-meaningly adv.; Well-meaningness.
1680. I. C., Vind. Oaths & Swearing (ed. 2), 37. That some expedient may be found out for their ease in this Point, to such especially as do erre ignorantly and well-meaningly.
1900. Spectator, 13 Jan., 52/1. Sloppiness, mental and moral, and vague well-meaningness.
