Forms: 4–6 benyngnite, -yte, -ete, benignite(e, -yte(e, benygnite(e, -yte, -ete, 5–7 benignitie, -itye, 7– benignity. [ME. benignete, a. OF. benignité, ad. L. benignitāt-em; see -ITY.]
1. Kindly feeling and its manifestation; kindness of disposition, or of manner. (Now attributed to superiors or those who are venerable.)
c. 1374. Chaucer, Troylus, II. 483. O God … Thow be my sheld, for thy benignite.
1382. Wyclif, Ps. li[i]. 5. Thou loouedist malíce ouer benygnete; wickidnesse mor than to speke equite.
c. 1480[?]. Ragman Roll, 64, in Hazl., E. P. P., 72. But paciently your benygnyte Taketh all in gre.
1531. Elyot, Gov., II. viii. Beneuolence, beneficence, and liberalitie, which maketh up the said principall vertue called benignitie or gentilnes.
1659. Hammond, On Ps. li. 1. Out of the riches of thy benignity.
1737. Whiston, Josephus’ Antiq., VII. iii. § 3. A peculiar benignity and affection which he had to the King.
1844. Thirlwall, Greece, VIII. lxvi. 382–3. It [the senate] received him [Demetrius] with the most gracious benignity.
1865. Carlyle, Fredk. Gt., X. XXI. ix. 180. Such a fatherly benignity of look.
b. concr. A manifestation of kindness, a kindly or generous deed; a kindness, a favor bestowed.
c. 1534. trans. Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist., Pref. 6. The receiuer of that so liberall benignitye.
1590. Swinburn, Testaments, 78. Many great and ample grants and benignities.
a. 1711. Ken, Preparat., Poet. Wks. 1721, IV. 74. The Benignities which shine, From Love divine.
1865. Bushnell, Vicar. Sacr., III. vi. 337. They look to see it [the gospel] operate by mere benignities.
2. Of things: a. (Astrol.) of a planet; b. of weather, climate; c. of medicine, disease. arch. See BENIGN.
a. 1665. Glanvill, Sceps. Sci., xx. 130. That planet receives the dusky light we discern in its Sextile Aspect, from the Earth’s benignity.
1722. Pope, Lett., Wks. 1737, VI. 87. A star that … is all benignity, all gentle and beneficial influence.
b. a. 1640. Jackson, Creed, XII. xiii. Wks. XII. 98. No benignity of native soil … can quicken … them.
1778. Robertson, Hist. Amer., II. VII. 333. The fertility of the soil corresponds with the benignity of the climate.
1814. Wordsw., Excursion, IV. 430. That benignity … that warms The mole.
c. 1605. Timme, Quersit., I. xvi. 80. The mercurials doe exceede the antimonials in benignitie and sweetnesse.
1684. trans. Bonet’s Merc. Compit., XIX. 765. The Humours are reduced to benignity.
1880. Syd. Soc. Lex., Benignity, a term applied in recognition of the mildness and favourable progress of a disease; and also to a tumour which is not cancerous or malignant.
