a. [A recent formation on BENIGN, or L. benignus, after malignant, which is of much earlier standing, and has a Latin prototype. Not in Johnson; nor in Bailey 1800, though freely used by Burke and Boswell in 1791.]
1. Cherishing or exhibiting kindly feeling towards inferiors or dependants; gracious, benevolent (with some suggestion of condescension or patronage).
a. 1782. Maiden’s Wish, in Ritson, Coll. Eng. Songs, I. iv. 20 (T.). Defend my heart, benignant Power.
1791. Burke, Let. Memb. Nat. Assembly, Wks. VI. 45. The king … was … the very reverse of your benignant sovereign.
1859. Geo. Eliot, A. Bede, 2. His glance, instead of being keen, is confiding and benignant.
1875. Browning, Aristoph. Apol., 119. Theirs would be To prove benignantest of playfellows.
2. transf. Of things: Exerting a good or kindly influence; favorable, beneficial, salutary.
1790. Boswell, Johnson, IV. 314 (T.). As if its [Christianity’s] influence on the mind were not benignant.
1798. Southey, Sonn., xiii. Wks. II. 96. For like a God thou [O Sun] art, and on thy way Of glory sheddest with benignant ray, Beauty, and life, and joyance from above.
1844. Mem. Babylonian P’cess, II. 183. Our destiny is settled in this world by the benignant or malignant character of our natal star.
